Sept2014_COUNCILLOR’S COLUMN
by Cr Bob Millar
AUSTRALIA DAY AWARDS 2014
Do you know of someone who freely gives of their time? MBRC 2014 Australia Day Awards pay tribute to individuals and groups who have made significant contributions to their local community and/or achieved exceptional results in sporting, environment or cultural endeavours. Nominations close Friday 21 November 2014 (amended information). For more information and to nominate online visit www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/ausawards or pick up a nomination form from council’s libraries and customer service centres.
THE BRAVEHEARTS TIME TRIAL IS BACK
On 30 November up to 400 cyclists will take on the challenge to beat the times set in last years inaugural Bravehearts Time Trial held over 43 kms from Samford to Dayboro and return. Competitors of all levels of competency are busy raising the $1,000 each as their contribution to help fund education, counselling and case management services for Australian children and their families affected by sexual assault. With Council, the national ORICA – Green EDGE team along with Cycling Queensland and other key sponsors supporting this event, it is sure to be another exciting day of cycling. If you and/or your cycling friends would like to participate in this great event, it’s is not too late to get your fundraising underway and to check out all the details at www.braveheartsadventures.org.au
DAYBORO TO GAIN NEW TENNIS BUILDING
For a number of years, I have been keen to see a redevelopment of the flood prone building that has for a long time stood in Roderick Cruice Park beside the tennis courts. With tennis regaining strong support in the Dayboro area over the last few years, I have been able to give the prospect of improved facilities a renewed level of importance to the point that over recent months I and council officers have been working with tennis club members on plans for a new building. As is often the case, the original concept grew in scope and the provision that I was able to secure in the 2014/15 budget has proven to be some 30% short of what the final project will cost. The good news is that with some shuffling of other major projects in my Division, the additional funding has been secured and at Councils General Meeting on 12th August, a tender for $358,129 has been approved to enable construction to proceed. Obviously some inconvenience will occur during construction but I’m sure that the end result will be well received. (photo)
ARE YOU A CANDIDATE FOR AUSTRALIAN CITIZENSHIP
More than 800 Moreton Bay Region residents take out Australian Citizenship each year with many coming from within the distribution area of the Village Pump and throughout Division 11. Did you know that the Rotary Club of Samford Valley, for many years, has conducted a local ceremony on Australia Day supported by our Federal member, Peter Dutton. Some candidates for citizenship have not been aware of this local ceremony until they have either been allocated to another venue or taken citizenship at one of the earlier events which regularly take place around the Region. If you or someone you know is due to take Australian citizenship over the next few months and would like to participate in our local unique ceremony, then discuss this with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship with whom your Citizenship arrangements are being made.
COMMUNITY SECURITY
In discussions with local Police and some local residents it is disappointing to hear that there has been a few break-ins at homes around my Division over the last couple of months. Whilst our community experiences relatively low crime rates it is worth reminding residents not to be complacent with security around homes and vehicles e.g don’t leave garage doors open, keep spare keys for house and car in a secure place, be mindful that use of social media can be telling others you don’t want to know, that your home may be unoccupied.
DAYBORO ROAD PEDESTRIAN REFUGE AND PATH COMPLETE
I have written many times over the years about the challenges in gaining approval from the Department of Transport and Main Roads for Council to construct a pedestrian refuge on this State road just east of Terrors Creek to increase the safety for pedestrians from the residential areas around Saddleback Drive who walk to the Village and school. The waiting is over and I have watched this council funded project finally take shape, providing a safe crossing and pathway link between Saddleback Drive and Terrors Creek bridge. (photo)
COUNCIL BUSHFIRE PREPARATION
Across the 2,037 sq kms of the Moreton Bay Region that Council owns or controls, there are extensive land holdings that require ongoing maintenance, be they parks or open space reserves. This maintenance can also include hazard reduction burning of these properties, and council is currently undertaking burns at a number of locations across our region, in some cases with the assistance of our local volunteer Rural Fire Brigades. It is also timely that residents in the more exposed areas of our region ensure that their preparation for the coming fire season is also in place. Extensive information is available from Council’s website and the Rural Fire website www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au
DID YOU KNOW?
That councils owns some 57 community halls/meeting spaces plus there are some 25 private facilities e.g. CWA, RSL serving the Moreton Bay Region.
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
(For photos see our Facebook page.)
