May 2010 . . COUNCILLOR’S COLUMN
by Cr Bob Millar
DAYBORO DAY – 30th May
This huge event draws visitors from far and wide, including interstate, and not only contributes to the growing interest in our area as a tourist destination, but is also a major component of the Pine Rivers Festival.
The event is free and includes entertainment, great food, Residents of the Year Awards, craft markets, wacky wheelbarrow, rides and competitions, and also an Antique and Collectables Fair (entry fee applies).
Come along and enjoy the great country town atmosphere anytime from 8am to 3.30pm.
With volunteerism struggling to provide adequate resources for so many of our important community activities, can I ask all readers to dig deep into their time and energy to assist the small band of people who do most of the organizing of this event.
DAYBORO SWIMMING POOL
The Dayboro Swimming Pool was to shut down two weeks earlier than usual this winter to allow for repainting prior to the general close down over June, July and August. However I have arranged for the painting to be carried out during the shut down period to allow residents to use the pool right up to the end of May. Most pools close for three months (June, July and August) across the winter period, however Council keeps a limited number of heated pools open to provide an on-going service for the “winter die hards”. Details are available on council’s website www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au – search ‘swimming pools’ and click on item No. 8.
CARPARKING – MT SAMSON SCHOOL
I have, for many months, been working with Council officers, the school community and a neighbouring property owner, with a view to providing an additional 24 parking spaces for the Mt Samson School. Whilst the school is a State Government facility, Councils are regularly lumbered with the cost of providing car parking around schools.
Earthworks on this project have been undertaken over the last couple of months to provide the basic car park, and I am including in my 2010/2011 Roadworks Budget a further $25,000 to complete the bitumen seal on this car park towards the end of the year. Completion of the bitumen sealing will take place once building activity at the school is complete.
MOBILE LIBRARY
How lucky are we – the Library comes to us! Why not visit the Mobile Library when it is in your area and check out what is available.
The Mobile Library visits Dayboro and Ocean View on a fortnightly roster – the next two visits being Mon 10th and Mon 24th May.
The large bus stops outside Hay Cottage, Dayboro from 1.30pm – 3.00m and is back again between 5pm – 7.30pm. In between this the bus visits Ocean View (Cnr Townsend and Zillman Rds) between 3.30 – 4.30 pm.
For more information and a complete roster email mobile.library@moretonbay.qld.gov.au or phone 0409 613 662.
NEW PROPERTY VALUATIONS
New property valuations have recently been released by the Department of Environment and Resource Management. Valuations reflect recent (ie up to October 2009) market sales and therefore the trend in property values in each locality. The average increase in residential property valuations across the Moreton Bay Region was 36.1% but there were significant variations across the region from decreases of 20 percent to increases of 112 percent. What complicates this even more is that valuations in the former Caboolture and Redcliffe areas were previously completed in 2004 whilst the last Pine Rivers valuations were completed in 2006.
The following average valuation increases of all properties in each of the following selection of districts in Division 11 (rounded to the full %) may be of interest. Narangba 54%, Armstrong Creek 30%, Camp Mountain 40%, Cashmere 41%, Cedar Creek 30%, Clear Mountain 30%, Closeburn 38%, King Scrub 32%, Kobble Creek 30%, Laceys Creek 30%, Dayboro 57%, Rush Creek 30%, Draper 46%, Highvale 35%, Jollys Lookout 70%, Mt Nebo 76% , Mt Samson 38%, Samford Valley 36%, Samford Village 48%, Ocean View 18%, Wights Mountain 40%, Yugar 48%, Kurwongbah 34%.
It should be remembered that valuation increases do not mean that rates will increase by a similar amount, but the wide variation in valuations will obviously affect property owners across the region quite differently as council meets its obligation to equalize its rating policies across the region and undertakes the challenge of meeting the community’s increasing needs for services and facilities with the increasingly difficult task of keeping rate increases to as little as possible.
More information on the valuations and how to object to your valuation, if you wish, can be found at www.derm.qld.gov.au . Objections must be lodged by 6 May.
DID YOU KNOW?
That new Road Rules introduced in October 2009 made it illegal to use fog lights in clear weather. Many modern cars are fitted with these and some car owners are not aware that these lights are ‘fog’ lights and not driving lights or that this new rule came into existence. The fine is $40.
Come along and enjoy the great country town atmosphere anytime from 8am to 3.30pm.
With volunteerism struggling to provide adequate resources for so many of our important community activities, can I ask all readers to dig deep into their time and energy to assist the small band of people who do most of the organizing of this event.
DAYBORO SWIMMING POOL
The Dayboro Swimming Pool was to shut down two weeks earlier than usual this winter to allow for repainting prior to the general close down over June, July and August. However I have arranged for the painting to be carried out during the shut down period to allow residents to use the pool right up to the end of May. Most pools close for three months (June, July and August) across the winter period, however Council keeps a limited number of heated pools open to provide an on-going service for the “winter die hards”. Details are available on council’s website www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au – search ‘swimming pools’ and click on item No. 8.
CARPARKING – MT SAMSON SCHOOL
I have, for many months, been working with Council officers, the school community and a neighbouring property owner, with a view to providing an additional 24 parking spaces for the Mt Samson School. Whilst the school is a State Government facility, Councils are regularly lumbered with the cost of providing car parking around schools.
Earthworks on this project have been undertaken over the last couple of months to provide the basic car park, and I am including in my 2010/2011 Roadworks Budget a further $25,000 to complete the bitumen seal on this car park towards the end of the year. Completion of the bitumen sealing will take place once building activity at the school is complete.
MOBILE LIBRARY
How lucky are we – the Library comes to us! Why not visit the Mobile Library when it is in your area and check out what is available.
The Mobile Library visits Dayboro and Ocean View on a fortnightly roster – the next two visits being Mon 10th and Mon 24th May.
The large bus stops outside Hay Cottage, Dayboro from 1.30pm – 3.00m and is back again between 5pm – 7.30pm. In between this the bus visits Ocean View (Cnr Townsend and Zillman Rds) between 3.30 – 4.30 pm.
For more information and a complete roster email mobile.library@moretonbay.qld.gov.au or phone 0409 613 662.
NEW PROPERTY VALUATIONS
New property valuations have recently been released by the Department of Environment and Resource Management. Valuations reflect recent (ie up to October 2009) market sales and therefore the trend in property values in each locality. The average increase in residential property valuations across the Moreton Bay Region was 36.1% but there were significant variations across the region from decreases of 20 percent to increases of 112 percent. What complicates this even more is that valuations in the former Caboolture and Redcliffe areas were previously completed in 2004 whilst the last Pine Rivers valuations were completed in 2006.
The following average valuation increases of all properties in each of the following selection of districts in Division 11 (rounded to the full %) may be of interest. Narangba 54%, Armstrong Creek 30%, Camp Mountain 40%, Cashmere 41%, Cedar Creek 30%, Clear Mountain 30%, Closeburn 38%, King Scrub 32%, Kobble Creek 30%, Laceys Creek 30%, Dayboro 57%, Rush Creek 30%, Draper 46%, Highvale 35%, Jollys Lookout 70%, Mt Nebo 76% , Mt Samson 38%, Samford Valley 36%, Samford Village 48%, Ocean View 18%, Wights Mountain 40%, Yugar 48%, Kurwongbah 34%.
It should be remembered that valuation increases do not mean that rates will increase by a similar amount, but the wide variation in valuations will obviously affect property owners across the region quite differently as council meets its obligation to equalize its rating policies across the region and undertakes the challenge of meeting the community’s increasing needs for services and facilities with the increasingly difficult task of keeping rate increases to as little as possible.
More information on the valuations and how to object to your valuation, if you wish, can be found at www.derm.qld.gov.au . Objections must be lodged by 6 May.
DID YOU KNOW?
That new Road Rules introduced in October 2009 made it illegal to use fog lights in clear weather. Many modern cars are fitted with these and some car owners are not aware that these lights are ‘fog’ lights and not driving lights or that this new rule came into existence. The fine is $40.
