News Archives - August 2003

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SBLGA Opts Not To Support Rural Local Government Association Idea

31st August 2003: The South Burnett Local Government Association has decided to not support a proposal put forward by Tiaro Shire Council to form a local government organisation to represent rural Queensland Shires. At the SBLGA's most recent meeting in Yarraman at the start of the month, members expressed the view that Queensland's rural councils were being adequately represented by the Local Government Association of Queensland at the present time. As a group, attendees expressed the view at that the formation of a separate body within the LGAQ framework - which is what Tiaro had proposed - might lead to an unnecessary "fracturing" of the parent organisation. Members heard that the Tiaro proposal had already been rejected by the Darling Downs Local Government Association for broadly similar reasons. While attendees agreed that any decision to join the Tiaro proposal was ultimately a matter for individual Councils to decide - and that some councils in some remote areas might possibly benefit from the idea - the consensus view was that no South Burnett councils had an interest in the matter at the present stage.
 

Wondai Centenary Publicised In LGAQ Magazine

28th August 2003: Wondai township's Centenary and the development of the Shire over the last two decades have been made the subject of a double-page colour spread in the latest bi-monthly edition of the Queensland Local Government Association's COUNCIL magazine. The article features photographs of Lake Boondooma and the South Burnett Region Timber Industry's Museum's diorama and pays tribute to Wondai Shire Council Mayor Percy Iszlaub, Shire councillors and Wondai Shire CEO Alan Keates. The article focusses particular attention on the Shire's aggressive drive for growth in residential, industrial and business development over them last two decades. It also acknowledges the Council's ,recent expansion into tourism and the steady diversification of traditional Shire agricultural industries into new areas such as olive-growing, vineyards, small crops and aquaculture. The reason for the Shire's success, the article postulates, is that Wondai focussed on its existing strengths and then pursued a sustained programme of capitalising on them over an extended period of time. The Council also concentrated on a long-range view of development and refused to be dissuaded from these plans by temporary setbacks. Wondai will be holding its peak Centenary celebrations from October 18th-26th this year.
 

Tourism Association Backs Tourist Train Concept

25th August 2003: The South Burnett Tourism Association has reacted favourably to a proposal put forward by SBLGA Economic Development Manager Paul Marek to look at the possibility of running regular "Winelander" tourist trains into the region (see story 16th August 2003) . At its most recent meeting at Barambah Ridge Winery in Redgate last week, the SBTA voted to form a special sub-committee to look into the matter. The sub-committee will conduct preliminary negotiations with Queensland Rail and interested tourism operators and report back to the Association in due course. In other developments, attendees at the meeting heard that sales of the South Burnett Regional Cookbook have now passed 55% of stocks and it was hoped a new edition would be produced in 2004 from the profits of this year's edition. Attendees also heard that Tourism Queensland are considering flagging the area as "Kingaroy and the South Burnett" in the next edition of the South East Queensland Country Touring Guide after TQ market research indicated that the town was probably better-known than the region at the present time. However - at the suggestion of several members - a poll will be conducted to determine if the majority agree with the proposal. The SBTA currently support the regional branding strategy advocated by both SBLGA member councils and South Burnett Wine Industry Association, which argues that the region will develop much more quickly under a single "brand" than by the efforts of individual towns or shires. "No-one knows which towns are in the Hunter Valley," one attendee said, "but everyone knows where the Hunter Valley is".
 

South Burnett To Get Regular Air Service

22nd August 2003: Urangan-based Elite Airways announced yesterday that they'll begin operating an on-demand air taxi service from Kingaroy to Brisbane from the 1st September 2003. The new air service will end a gap of almost two decades in regular air services to the South Burnett and was welcomed by Kingaroy Shire Mayor Roger Nunn, who said regular commercial flights would be beneficial to both the region's business community and its rapidly-growing tourism industry. Elite Airways will operate the service using a Piper Chieftain plane crewed by two pilots, capable of carrying up to eight passengers at a time. The company conducted preliminary meetings with local businesses in July and early August to establish likely demand for the service prior to the announcement. Kingaroy Shire Council are one of the firm's first customers, booking a flight to carry delegates to a Local Government conference in a move that will shave up to six hours off normal travelling times as well as the cost of vehicle storage at Brisbane Airport. Return tickets from Kingaroy to Brisbane are expected to cost $220 and the firm will begin working with local business organisations and councils to determine an optimal flight schedule. The company will also offer $25 joy flights over the region on the weekend of August 30th-31st to introduce the new air service to the public.
 

Region's Accessibility Improving

19th August 2003: The South Burnett's level of accessibility for disabled tourists is steadily improving according to the South Burnett Community Access Project (SBCAP). Attendees at a function held at the Bell Tower Restaurant this evening heard that approximately 18% of all Australians suffer some form of disability which limits their ability to travel. Tourism bodies in most states outside Queensland seem to be paying little attention to this at the present time and in doing do, guests were told, interstate tourism operators are ignoring a potentially lucrative market. For its 2003 report, SBCAP audited 144 regional tourism venues against 15 accessibility criteria and found that both the general level of accessibility and the awareness of the need to cater to people with disabilities had increased over the preceding year. Guest speaker Glen Miller from Tourism Queensland said that this was "very encouraging" and that developing a reputation as a "disability-friendly" region could significantly enhance the South Burnett's tourism appeal. Venue accessibility ratings from the SBCAP 2003 report will be added to the region's online tourism database over the coming month. Illustration: SBCAP's 2003 report "Towards Tourism and Leisure For All" rates local tourism venues against 15 different accessibility criteria. It's now available from SBCAP and can also be viewed at regional Visitor Information Centres and Council offices.
 

SBLGA Positive Towards "Winelander" Rail Concept

16th August 2003: The SBLGA has reacted positively to a proposal advanced by regional economic development officer Paul Marek to attempt to bring regular tourist trains to the South Burnett. At its most recent meeting in Yarraman, SBLGA delegates heard that Mr Marek had undertaken preliminary negotiations with the Mary Valley tourist train operators and Queensland Rail on the matter. Mr Marek said he felt that it was feasible to bring regular trainloads of up to 84 passengers to regional destinations including Goomeri, Murgon, Wondai and Kingaroy for tourism experiences themed around antiques, wine and food. The train would use the 100-year-old Theebine-Kingaroy rail link which is now only used by peanut and cattle trains. The SBLGA agreed that the organisation of tours would be best left to private sector operators, and Mr Marek said that he hoped to bring the matter up with the South Burnett Tourism Association and the South Burnett Wine Industry Association in the foreseeable future when discussions were further advanced, with the aim of forming a committee to oversee rail tour operations.
 

Minister To Launch Micro-Diversity Expo

13th August 2003: Federal Minister For Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Mr Warren Truss will officially launch Kilkivan Shire's inaugural Micro Diversity Expo 2003 and the Shire's "Growing A Community" programme at noon on Friday 19th September 2003. The two day expo - which is being held in the Kilkivan Shire Hall in Bligh Street from 10:00am to 5:00pm on Friday 19th and 10:00am to 3:00pm on Saturday 20th September - has been organised by Kilkivan Shire Economic Development Officer Mr Bob Neville. The event will focus on micro-businesses (ie those businesses employing 5 or fewer staff, which account for approximately 90% of all Australian businesses) and the "Growing A Community" pilot programme organised by Mr Neville, which has now been operating in the Shire for the last 18 months and which will be released for public comment and evaluation in October. The event will also dovetail with the Kilkivan Beef Festival (19th-22nd September), now entering its second year. More than 16 exhibitors have already confirmed for the Expo and will be displaying a wide range of products and services produced in the Shire. Admission to the Expo is free and attendance from all sectors of the community is being encouraged. More details can be obtained by phoning the Expo Hotline on (07) 5484-1600 or via email. A PDF about the Expo can also be obtained by clicking here (219K).
 

Murgon Shire Council Appoints New CEO

10th August 2003: Following a decison by former Murgon Shire Chief Executive Officer Mr Robert Carruthers not to seek to renew his contract in early July this year, Murgon Shire Council has appointed Mr Scott Greensill to fill the vacancy. Mr Greensill was formerly employed as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Roma Town Council where he was responsible for administration, legal matters, finances, human resources and information technology. During his local government career Mr Greensill has also served as Chief Executice Officer with Bauhinia Shire Council and Pittsworth Shire Council. He is expected to take over the role in September. Until that time, Murgon Shire Council's CEO role will continue to be jointly undertaken by Mr Carruthers and Deputy CEO Mr Shane Grey. Mr Greensill will also be assuming the position of SBLGA Secretary for 2003-2004 soon after he commences duties.
 

Region Welcomes New Sport & Recreation Development Officer

7th August 2003: Following a state-wide advertising campaign in late May this year, Ms Jodie Grant has been appointed as the South Burnett's new Sport and Recreation Development Officer. Ms Grant - a former Murgon resident who left the region in 1998 to pursue higher education at Griffith University - is jointly employed by Wondai, Kingaroy and Nanango Shire Councils. Her task will be to assist sporting and recreation groups in all three Shires to raise funds, improve sporting and recreational facilities and expand their activities. Ms Grant, 22, holds a Bachelor of Leisure Studies and a Bachelor of Commerce and says that she's "excited and stimulated" by the challenge of the position. She's been employed on an initial 12-month contract and will be working from Wondai Shire Council's offices. Over the last fortnight Ms Grant has been meeting with all three Councils and local sporting groups to identify priorities and develop a forward programme. Our web site will be updated in the next few days to reflect the new appointment. Photo at right: Ms Jodie Grant, the new Sport and Recreation Development Officer for Wondai, Kingaroy and Nanango Shire Councils.
 

South Burnett Professionals Grow By 32% In A Decade

4th August 2003: The number of professionals employed in the South Burnett expanded by almost 32% in the decade between 1991 and 2001 according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. In an analysis of ABS community snapshots from the most recent Census (now available on our web site), the figures show that growth in professional employment occurred in almost all parts of the South Burnett over the last decade with the exception of Yarraman, where it decreased by 6.7%. While the growth of professionals is welcome news, the figures also show that the region as a whole is still performing below both Brisbane and Queensland wide averages. The average number of professionals employed in the South Burnett workforce is 9.5%, almost half the Brisbane rate of 18.8% and also below the State-wide average of 16%. The growth in professional employment numbers in the region is shown in the table below:
 

Professionals 1991 1996 2001 % 91/01 % Wforce Nanango Shire 188 268 247 +31.38% 9.7% Rosalie (SthB portion) 133 142 124 -6.76% 6.7% Kingaroy Shire 478 610 661 +38.28% 13.4% Wondai Shire 93 132 138 +48.39% 9.1% Murgon Shire 130 156 185 -42.31% 10.5% Kilkivan Shire 81 84 96 +18.52% 7.9% Regional Totals 1,103 1,392 1,451 +31.50% 9.5%

 

SBLGA Elects New Chairman and Secretary For 2003-2004

1st August 2003: Murgon Shire Mayor Cr Warren Hubner and Murgon Shire Council's Director of Corporate and Financial Services Shane Grey were elected as 2003-2004 Chairman and Secretary of the SBLGA at the Association's Annual General Meeting in Yarraman today. The pair will take over the reigns from Rosalie Shire Mayor Cr Noel Strohfeld and Rosalie Shire CEO Clinton Weber, who filled the roles during 2002-2003. Cr David Lahiff, Mayor of Kilkivan Shire, was elected the SBLGA's Vice-President for 2003-2004. The election follows the SBLGA's long-standing tradition of rotating the roles of Chairman and Secretary between the Mayors and CEOs of each of its member Shires on an annual basis, and the positions were last held by Murgon in 1998-99. Because Murgon Shire is currently advertising for a new CEO to fill the position recently vacated by Mr Robert Carruthers (see story 5th July), Mr Grey will fill the role of SBLGA Secretary until a new appointment is made. Our web site will be updated within the next few days to reflect the change of office bearers. Photo at right: Murgon Shire Mayor Cr Warren Hubner, who'll be the SBLGA's Chairman for 2003-2004.
 

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