March2014_COUNCILLORs COLUMN by Cr Bob Millar
HOORAY FOR DAYBORO RD CROSSING AND PATH
The wait is over along with an end to the exhausting efforts of negotiation over almost 10 years by Council officers and myself in trying to convince the State Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) that a pedestrian refuge across their Dayboro Road would be a lot safer piece of infrastructure than no crossing at all. It just needed a little commonsense and flexibility in an otherwise rigid rulebook driven environment.
Whilst I would be the first to acknowledge the need for sound standards when it comes to road safety, this one has been a cracker. Many around Dayboro and most of the residents in Alcheringa Estate that I have had the pleasure of catching up with prior to Christmas each year will bear testimony to mine and their frustration. The outcome comes from a refreshing change in many of our more recent discussions with TMR and whilst there may be no connection, it seems to co-incide with a different style around George St. Now that the obstacles are out of the way, construction detail can be finalised ready for tenders to be let and I have included some $150,000 into my 2014/15 Divisional works budget for this project after having done the same thing over the last several years in anticipation of TMR approval. Residents can expect to see some action immediately at the start of the new financial year, weather permitting and completion of this project will allow pedestrians and particularly school children to find their way safely to school and bus stops. Thank you for your patience.
SOCCER FIELD REPAIRS
The work undertaken over the off season in an endeavour to resolve, once and for all, the wet area problems on the northern end of the soccer field, have now been completed with ongoing turf maintenance being undertaken by the contractor over the next month to ensure that the field is in the best possible condition for the commencement of the 2014 football season.
FOOTBALL GROUND CAR PARKING
Work is progressing slightly ahead of schedule on construction of formal car parking adjacent to the soccer club facilities. By the time this column reaches readers rock and block retaining walls should have been completed, the bitumen seal added and the project within a few weeks of completion. This car park will provide approximately 20 spaces on virtually level ground thus improving safety to all users.
ANOTHER ACCOLADE FOR OCEAN VIEW ESTATES
Congratulations to Ocean View Estates Winery & Restaurant for taking out the bronze award in the Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries category at the recent 2013 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards. This well-deserved award adds to the enormous contribution that Tom and Kate Honnef and their tourism operation make within our Region.
DAYBORO STATE SCHOOL RECOGNISED FOR WASTE MINIMISATION
Whilst I was unable to attend personally due to an injury sustained a few days earlier, I was pleased to be represented by council officers and representatives from Envirocom Australia at a school assembly in early February at which the school students were recognised for their achievements as environmental crusaders for the Moreton Bay Region. The school had accepted an invitation to be a pilot study school during 2012 to test Moreton Bay Regional Council’s Biodiversity Education Module and in so doing set an example for other schools in the region to follow. Congratulations to the students and staff for being recycling heroes in your community.
ROADWORKS
Council crews and contractors have been busy throughout Division 11 preparing for or undertaking a number of road resurfacing and drainage repair works. Among these are the carpark next to the antiques store in Main Street, Samford, Postmans Track, Kobble Creek, Mount Samson Road, Samsonvale – Gold Scrub Lane to Hipathites Road, Showgrounds Drive, Highvale – Cleaning out of drainage easement, Morris St, Dayboro, Armstrong Creek Rd and Miers rd, Ocean View. Preparatory works prior to resurfacing will be also be carried out on sections of Fingerboard Rd and Laceys Creek Rd
SEE IT, REPORT IT
Council encourages residents to report matters requiring its attention and has made this even easier for residents with smartphones with the launch of a free app in the App Store and Google Play. This MBRC Request app gives residents the ability to connect straight to our customer service centre with just a few taps. Android and iPhone users can download the app from the App Store and Google Play by tapping MBRC Request into the store search window. The app provides the ability to report a wide range of council issues from potholes, graffiti, animal issues to litter and more.
DID YOU KNOW?
That you can stay up to date with all the Council news and events in areas that are of particular interest by signing up to one or more of our many eNewletters.
For all your general council enquiries call 3205 0555 or email mbrc@moretonbay.qld.gov.au
If I can assist further please contact me.
Councillor Bob Millar
Independent – Division 11
Office 3480 6455.
