June2014_COUNCILLOR’S COLUMN
by Cr Bob Millar
COUNCIL BUDGET TIME
On top of the myriad of day to day issues, your Council has been working hard over the last few months on the challenging task of preparing the 2014/15 Budget and in so doing, is facing many of the same difficulties as other levels of Government such as reduced non rate revenues and increased costs.
With the need to provide well for our community through adequate infrastructure and services and yet contain the cost to ratepayers, we have been aided by the strong financial and organisational management that has been exercised over the last few years. I will be assisting the Mayor in delivering the budget on 5th June and will report in further editions on the main aspects affecting residents in Division 11.
UPGRADED WATER MAINS
Unitywater who provides the water and sewerage services to our Region advised in mid-May that they would be installing new mains in Williams and Bradley Streets to enhance the performance of the water network and continue to provide sufficient pressure for firefighting capability in the area. Works will have commenced by the time you read this item and following some panic calls when it was learned that these works were scheduled to commence the week before Dayboro Day. I am pleased that I was able to gain Unitywater’s cooperation and defer construction until after this significant annual event. For further information visit www.unitywater.com/projects
WASTE MANAGEMENT – TRANSFER STATIONS
Council operates and maintains 9 transfer stations throughout the Moreton Bay Regional Council area plus three landfill sites. By comparison, for the whole of Brisbane City Council there are only four. Transfer stations are utilised as the term infers to collect and transfer the waste to the main landfill sites for treatment or recycling. The main challenge with all transfer stations is the restricted space available. As communities grow and more pressure is placed on the transfer stations it is challenging to coordinate and relocate the waste received. It is important to note that size restrictions are placed on loads received from residents at transfer stations to ensure the sites can cater for all patrons and from time to time during high activity periods, particularly for green waste disposal, sites may need to be closed for a few hours without notice to facilitate the movement of machinery. Please refer to Councils web site www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au for detailed information in relation to the transfer station near you as not all transfer stations accept the same materials.
DAYBORO KINDY WINS PROJECT FUNDING
I was pleased recently to visit the Kindy to inspect the recently constructed bike path paved area and water bore all funded through $16,837 in grants under councils community assistance grants program. The water bore will support the very impressive gardens that have been built by the children and their parents and the bike path will give the young folk plenty of exercise and an opportunity to learn a little about road safety. Each year council provides in excess of $500,000 in grants and interest free loans through the community assistance grants scheme.
SADDLEBACK PEDESTRIAN REFUGE
I wrote in my March column that this project which will provide safe pedestrian access across Dayboro Road just to the east of Terrors Creek bridge, had finally received the necessary approvals from the Department of Transport and Main Roads and was having final design work completed. Tenders have closed for this project and it is expected that construction works should commence within the next weeks.
DID YOU KNOW?
That 27,000 donations of blood are required each week in Australia and the majority of this blood assists cancer patients and those with blood diseases and that demand for blood and blood products will grow by 100% over the next 10 years. Please consider joining the thousands of residents who regularly make blood donations contact 13 95 96 for details or their website www.donateblood.com.au
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
