Feb2014_COUNCILLOR’S COLUMN
by Cr Bob Millar
WELCOME BACK
Welcome to my first column for 2014. I hope that all the Dayboro Grapevine readers have had an enjoyable Christmas/New Year and that those of you who have had the opportunity to holiday are now refreshed and looking forward to the year ahead.
Council has delivered tens of millions of dollars in sporting infrastructure, community facilities, social programmes and arts and youth activities over the last 12 months and continued a high level of engagement with the community on many issues through a number of different avenues. Whilst Council, like all levels of Government and many in the community, is facing very difficult financial pressures, we remain in good shape to maintain the services and facilities to take our 400,000 residents into the future.
IT’S PINE RIVERS CUP TIME AGAIN
The keenly contested annual Pine Rivers Cup pre-season rugby league competition kicked off its 22nd year on Saturday 1st February hosted by the Samford Stags at their Cash Avenue field. At the time of writing this column the games had not been played and obviously the game between Dayboro Cowboys and Samford Stags for the long standing and hotly contested Earl McDonald/Jack Lawson trophy was not decided.
The next round is on Sat 8th February at Dayboro with a further round on the 15th Feb at Pine Rivers Club, Mundin St, Petrie and the finals being played on 22nd February hosted by Pine Central/Holy Spirit at Les Hughes Sports Reserve, Bray Park. Council is again pleased to be supporting this competition with $1,500 in sponsorship. The Pine Rivers Cup competition over the years has built a strong following and provides spectators with a great evening’s sporting entertainment. Please come along to support your local club.
HEATWAVE STRIKES DOWN BATS
The extreme heat of the first weekend in January has contributed to the death of up to 10,000 bats from more than 10 camps around the Moreton Bay Region and whilst there are no bats currently reported at the Day’s Road, Highvale camp, more than 1,000 bats perished at the Railway Street, Dayboro roost. Council officers and bat carers responded over that weekend to assist in the recovery of both unwell and dead animals. This is the first recorded incidence on such a scale with the hot conditions also contributing to reports of fish dying with the increased water temperature in some streams.
MOUNT SAMSON ROAD BRIDGEWORKS
Residents travelling Mt Samson Road to Samford will have noticed the maintenance works taking place on the bridge over the North Pine River. These works which are part of this years $400,000 bridge maintenance programme involve the resurfacing of the bridge to renew protection of the substructure and to undertake repairs to some of the concrete beams that have been suffering from exposure of steel re-inforcing. Whilst from my own experience delays to drivers have only been minimal, I thank you for your patience while these essential works have been undertaken and which should be completed by the time the Grapevine goes to press.
DAYBORO WAR MEMORIAL GROUNDS CAR PARK CONSTRUCTION
Construction of the first stage of a car park between the Rugby League and Soccer complexes commenced in early January and is on schedule (weather permitting) to be completed towards the end of March. This project, which will include an access driveway, will significantly improve safety for vehicles parking in this area.
DID YOU KNOW?
That in the 2012/13 financial year council staff handled some 240,000 phone calls via the Customer Service Centre with 94% of those calls resolved by the officer taking the call. Also on average council receives 1200 online requests for help or information each month.
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.
Follow me on twitter.com/CrBobMillar and Facebook.com/bob.millar.92
