Mar2013_COUNCILLORs COLUMN
by Cr Bob Millar
Independent – Division 11
Office 3480 6455.
Follow me on @CrBobMillar
or Connect with me on Facebook.
MORETON BAY REGION DODGES THE WEATHER’S WORST
Reminiscent of the flood events of January 2011, many residents shuddered at the prospect of a repeat over the Australia Day weekend. Whilst more than 100 of our Regions roads and crossings were cut by floodwaters and residents joined more than 300,000 of their south east Queensland neighbours without power for several days, the area narrowly escaped serious flooding. As I stood in Williams street approaching the flood peak on Sunday evening with water once again covering the road, and sandbags around a number of premises, it was pleasing to see the significant contribution the new bridge works made to reducing the level of water in the town. It appears that council infrastructure across the Region has nevertheless suffered more than $25 million damage, much of which at this stage, it seems we will have to carry. Hopefully it is the last of the big rains for the summer.
VOLUNTEERING IN A DISASTER
During times of disaster around the Moreton Bay Region and elsewhere, council and other government and non-government agencies such as Volunteering Queensland, Red Cross etc receive numerous offers of assistance from people wishing to help those who have been affected by the disasters. With significant flooding having taken place around south east and central Queensland, the clean-up will go on for some time, so people wanting to volunteer for this or future events are encouraged to do so through Volunteering Queensland on www.emergencyvolunteering.com.au . Similarly if you can offer transport for goods donated through the Givit organisation, please register at www.givit.org.au
TRANSFER STATIONS
Residents of Moreton Bay not only have the benefit of access to free domestic tipping but have a choice of 12 land fill or Transfer Stations sites to service their needs. By comparison the whole of metropolitan Brisbane are serviced by 3 transfer stations and 1 landfill site the latter of which is not open to the public. Please ensure that you are familiar with Council’s recycling requirements and that you respect and respond positively to the guidance of our caretakers.
The contract arrangements for a number of Council Transfer Stations have recently come up for renewal and I’m pleased to advise that Barney from the Dayboro Transfer Station has been reappointed as the local caretaker. Many residents will know Barney and his helpful nature at the Transfer Station despite the many “challenges” with which from time to time he has to deal.
MBRC ANNUAL REPORT 2011/2012
Many people are often amazed at the wide range and diversity of activities, services and facilities provided by their Council and the financial considerations involved. Councils provide enormous resources to support the community and the recently published 2011/2012 Annual Report provides another source of interesting information. The report is now available on Council’s website at
www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au and is certainly worth the read.
MOSQUITO TREATMENT
Aerial and ground treatment of mosquitos has been completed through our Region with a total area treated of 3045Ha. Barrier treatments utilizing BiFenthrin has been reapplied to all major park areas, swamp areas and freshwater areas to assist with health issues associated with mosquitos.
CHEM CLEAR – drumMUSTER 2013
Agricultural, livestock, industrial and recreational pest and weed control chemical users across our region will receive an excellent opportunity to dispose of their unwanted, inherited or unknown chemicals in June/July this year. The issue of unwanted or obsolete chemicals sitting in sheds cannot be downplayed. ChemClear, in association with Council, is organising collection and safe disposal of agricultural and veterinary chemicals and are hoping to eclipse the 52 tonnes of unwanted and out of date agricultural and veterinary chemicals collect in 2011. If you fall into one of the above user groups and have old chemicals to dispose, you will need to register for this collection so give ChemClear a call on 1800 008 182 or log on to www.chemclear.com.au for more information.
CAREFUL WHERE YOU SWIM
There are many among the community who like to swim in creeks and waterfalls around the region. With the recent floods, there have been reports of changes to many of these creeks and popular rock pools so people visiting them should exercise additional care. The usual rules around water should apply and particularly checking the depth of any pools before diving as the silt or gravel build up after floods can make normally deep pools dangerously shallow. Pools along streams can also be impacted by fencing wire and other debris.
RURAL NUMBERING
If the number on your rural address post is faded, otherwise illegible or your post is damaged please contact Council on mbrc@moretonbay.qld.gov.au or phone 3205 0555 to be included on a schedule for maintenance.
MORETON BAY COMMUNITY GRANTS
I have reported previously that in the previous round of Community Grants, Council provided more than $300,000 to eligible organisations and groups across the Region. Applications for the next round of grants opened on the 1st February and will close on the 31 March with approvals being notified in early June 2013. Grants are available in the following categories: Community Capacity Building & Development, Community Facilities Development, Interest Free Loans for Community Facilities, Community Events, and Individual Achievement. For all details visit the council website www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au and search ‘Grants’
DID YOU KNOW?
That Council’s infrastructure assets include 1,737 parks and reserves covering just under 7,900 hectares.
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 @CrBobMillar
or Connect with me on Facebook.
