COUNCILLORS COLUMN
By Cr Bob Millar: DAYBORO SHOW SCORES WELL; HAY COTTAGE ARTS AND CRAFTS ASSOCIATION; WILLIAMS AND BRADLEY STREET WORKS; STATE ELECTORAL REDISTRIBUTION; NEW RATES INFORMATION; DID YOU KNOW?
DAYBORO SHOW SCORES WELL
Congratulations to the Dayboro Show Society and all those people in the community who again worked so tirelessly to produce yet another great show in July. The importance of these events to the overall history and social fabric of the communities they serve cannot be overstated and they warrant the ongoing support of these communities for a whole range of reasons. I am told that this year’s event was a great success with increased attendances and more entries in the various pavilion categories. One can only hope that these small shows can continue to bring interest, happiness and strength to the spirit of the community.
HAY COTTAGE ARTS AND CRAFTS ASSOCIATION
Council has now completed the renovations to Hay Cottage which included a new roof, internal painting, sealing and polishing the floors. The re-roofing of the building became necessary due to the deterioration of the shingles/shakes that had adorned the roof for many a long day. The official re-opening of the “new look” Hay Cottage will be held on Sunday 3rd August… so come along and have a look at the Cottage and pick up some great buys amongst the wide range of arts and crafts.
WILLIAMS AND BRADLEY STREET WORKS
The significant and long awaited project to remove the deep drains in Bradley and Williams Street has now been completed with the most recent works in Bradley Street including construction of a decorative retaining wall and concrete path adjacent to the hall. The combined projects including previously completed works in front of the former Foodstore on McKenzie Street totalled almost $500,000 of which every cent was worth it, given the positive feedback I have received over the last few weeks.
STATE ELECTORAL REDISTRIBUTION
The recent announcement by the Electoral Commission of Queensland regarding changed electoral boundaries for the next State election included the creation of a new seat call ‘Samsonvale’ which included the localities of Dayboro, Whiteside, Cashmere, Ocean View and Clear Mountain. Council has made representations to the Electoral Commission to have the name of this new electorate changed to Pine Rivers which will assist in maintaining long term recognition of this district. We will await the outcome of these representations with interest.
NEW RATES INFORMATION
This was the most excruciating budget process I have been through in the nine budgets I’ve participated in with Council and as Chair of Councils Corporate Services Committee, I also had the added challenge of chairing the numerous budget workshops and working with my fellow councillors and finance staff to deliver a fair but responsible budget. With each of the former Councils having quite different finance and computer systems and with more than 40 differences between the three former rating schemes, we had to develop three separate budgets and then, as far as possible, meld them together. The following is a quick summary on the major issues.
Waste: We have equalised costs in the waste area across the three Councils. Everybody in the region will be paying the same. Free tipping for residents is preserved and is now available to all residents of the Region. Businesses and commercial operators still have to pay at the landfill sites. Business and commercial tipping is not allowed at the transfer stations.
Water and Sewerage: With regard to water we basically increased what all residents are paying now by $68. This will represents the increased cost of bulk water paid to the new State controlled bulk water authority. We are working on bringing the costs of water and sewerage to a level basis over a couple of budget years.
General Rate: The general rate was a huge problem as the differences in method of rating, minimum rate, discounts, rebates, capping and averaging were different in all three former Councils. For example future property valuations across the region need to be conducted at the same time. In the final outcome and to maintain equity in the first year, we decided to adjust rates at a similar percentage across all districts with only thing adjusted this year being the pensioner rebate. This is now standardised for all new pensioners at $200 a year which for some was a significant increase. Present Redcliffe and Pine pensioners will keep their current rebates until they move house. The State has given the new amalgamated Councils four years to align all their rates and charges and this will happen over the next few years. Council has provided some $6M in this year’s budget to synchronise computer systems, so next year the job should be a little easier.
DID YOU KNOW?
That the SHAFT (Super Holiday Activities for Teenagers) Program which recently ran from 30th June to 11th July 2008 included 27 different activities for high school children. The outdoor activities proved to be most popular with a total of 464 placed booked and the feedback from participants, providers and parents has been extremely positive.
For all your general council enquiries call 3480 6666 or email pinerivers@moretonbay.qld.gov.au
If I can assist further please contact me.
Councillor Bob Millar
Independent – Division 11
Moreton Bay Regional Council
Ph. 3480 6455
HAY COTTAGE ARTS AND CRAFTS ASSOCIATION
Council has now completed the renovations to Hay Cottage which included a new roof, internal painting, sealing and polishing the floors. The re-roofing of the building became necessary due to the deterioration of the shingles/shakes that had adorned the roof for many a long day. The official re-opening of the “new look” Hay Cottage will be held on Sunday 3rd August… so come along and have a look at the Cottage and pick up some great buys amongst the wide range of arts and crafts.
WILLIAMS AND BRADLEY STREET WORKS
The significant and long awaited project to remove the deep drains in Bradley and Williams Street has now been completed with the most recent works in Bradley Street including construction of a decorative retaining wall and concrete path adjacent to the hall. The combined projects including previously completed works in front of the former Foodstore on McKenzie Street totalled almost $500,000 of which every cent was worth it, given the positive feedback I have received over the last few weeks.
STATE ELECTORAL REDISTRIBUTION
The recent announcement by the Electoral Commission of Queensland regarding changed electoral boundaries for the next State election included the creation of a new seat call ‘Samsonvale’ which included the localities of Dayboro, Whiteside, Cashmere, Ocean View and Clear Mountain. Council has made representations to the Electoral Commission to have the name of this new electorate changed to Pine Rivers which will assist in maintaining long term recognition of this district. We will await the outcome of these representations with interest.
NEW RATES INFORMATION
This was the most excruciating budget process I have been through in the nine budgets I’ve participated in with Council and as Chair of Councils Corporate Services Committee, I also had the added challenge of chairing the numerous budget workshops and working with my fellow councillors and finance staff to deliver a fair but responsible budget. With each of the former Councils having quite different finance and computer systems and with more than 40 differences between the three former rating schemes, we had to develop three separate budgets and then, as far as possible, meld them together. The following is a quick summary on the major issues.
Waste: We have equalised costs in the waste area across the three Councils. Everybody in the region will be paying the same. Free tipping for residents is preserved and is now available to all residents of the Region. Businesses and commercial operators still have to pay at the landfill sites. Business and commercial tipping is not allowed at the transfer stations.
Water and Sewerage: With regard to water we basically increased what all residents are paying now by $68. This will represents the increased cost of bulk water paid to the new State controlled bulk water authority. We are working on bringing the costs of water and sewerage to a level basis over a couple of budget years.
General Rate: The general rate was a huge problem as the differences in method of rating, minimum rate, discounts, rebates, capping and averaging were different in all three former Councils. For example future property valuations across the region need to be conducted at the same time. In the final outcome and to maintain equity in the first year, we decided to adjust rates at a similar percentage across all districts with only thing adjusted this year being the pensioner rebate. This is now standardised for all new pensioners at $200 a year which for some was a significant increase. Present Redcliffe and Pine pensioners will keep their current rebates until they move house. The State has given the new amalgamated Councils four years to align all their rates and charges and this will happen over the next few years. Council has provided some $6M in this year’s budget to synchronise computer systems, so next year the job should be a little easier.
DID YOU KNOW?
That the SHAFT (Super Holiday Activities for Teenagers) Program which recently ran from 30th June to 11th July 2008 included 27 different activities for high school children. The outdoor activities proved to be most popular with a total of 464 placed booked and the feedback from participants, providers and parents has been extremely positive.
For all your general council enquiries call 3480 6666 or email pinerivers@moretonbay.qld.gov.au
If I can assist further please contact me.
Councillor Bob Millar
Independent – Division 11
Moreton Bay Regional Council
Ph. 3480 6455
