desert yarns - diamantina shire council · desert yarns march 2017. desert ... the purpose being...

Desert Yarns March 2017

Desert Yarns

Phone 07 4746 1202 Fax 07 4746 1272

[email protected]

Thank you to all participants in Birdsville and Bedourie for Clean up the Diamantina

2 Desert Yarns •March 2017

MESSAGE FROM THE MAYORHello again, this time from good old Diamantina. While it’s good to go away and see new things, it’s even better to come home. At least I can read the signs and drink the water!! We really don’t know how good we have it here in Australia.

After the last council meeting, all the councillors and executive staff did a road run out the Ethabuka road, visiting those stations along the way that had their management at home. The purpose being that all councillors get an understanding of the roads and where money has or needs to be spent, and to hear any comments those living along those roads may have. It is council’s intention that all roads in the shire will be inspected over the course of the year. In the past the council has endeavoured to do the whole shire in one hit, but this has proved difficult at times.

At the last council meeting it was decided that the council would support in principle the Birdsville Court House Redevelopment project, and as such will help source funding as appropriate. This is a community driven project aimed at using the old court house. This is one of the more historic buildings in Birdsville, and would be a shame if it is let deteriorate to an unsafe state.

It has been reported that there is an outbreak of Singapore Ants in the Bedourie area. This is a very serious development and council will do its utmost to eradicate this threat to the shire. Please work with the council on this, and if you believe you may have any knowledge on their whereabouts please inform the shire.

The optic fibre project continues to be on track. As you would know the laying of the fibre is complete and work continues within the towns. Part of the project is to bring fibre to the schools, and this is being done at the moment. There is also an antenna to go in at the Birdsville Racecourse to help with the race time demands. Works will continue about the towns, so please take care around these sites.

Last week was a busy one for me as mayor. First the CEO and I spent over 3 days in Longreach attending various meetings. First it was the Outback Regional Road Group meeting, this group is very closely aligned with main roads and helps prioritise both roads and the various funding sources. A lot of our main roads funding comes from this group. After the meeting this group went into a strategic Planning workshop, where classes of roads, their priority, and forward plans were thrashed out.

Next it was the Outback Regional Water Alliance meeting, this group looks after all thing water and sewage related including its infrastructure. Again after this meeting we had a strategic meeting to discuss the way forward.

As you may remember, the Governor of Queensland visited Diamantina Shire on Melbourne Cup day last year, as part of his trip to visit western Queensland. Last week the Governor, His Excellency Paul de Jersey and his wife Kaye de Jersey, reciprocated the hospitality shown him by inviting the western mayors, and their wives, to stay at Government House including a black tie dinner. So after Longreach, it was off to Government house for Bev and I, along with the other mayors. The visit started with a full tour of the grounds and then Government House itself. That night was the formal dinner, the pomp and ceremony that goes with these dinners is very impressive. To be piped into dinner then formally announced is quite something. While black tie is not my clothing of choice I enjoyed the evening and the friendship shown. After breakfast next morning it was back to the real world.

Desert Yarns • March 2017 3

The Diamantina Shire is now to be returned to the state electorate of Gregory, after being in Mt Isa for some years now. We have been traditionally in Gregory, so guess we are only returning home.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our current member, Rob Katter, for his help and support since he became our member 2 elections ago, and wish him well for the future.

As you would all know by now, the Queens Baton Relay for the Commonwealth Games, will pass through Birdsville on March 7, 2018. This is indeed a great honour for Diamantina. For a few hours the eyes of the world will be on us. Further details will be released in due course.

I think my poem for this month is self-explanatory

Two little smiles lighting up our day,

Two set of eyes shining oh so bright,

Two little grandchildren happy in their play,

Two proud grandparents to whom they are the light.

Our precious girl came first, and made our faces glow,

So full of noise and oh so full of go,

Growing up fast, faster than you think,

Now its princesses and all things that are pink

Along came the lad and made the world his own,

Enriched our lives further, making any house a home,

With a cheeky smile could be quite the lad,

But grandmother said he could never be that bad.

Two more reasons that life is just so good

Two sets of noises along our path do tread,

Two huge dreams to do whatér they would,

Two good reasons to get up out of bed.

Geoff Morton

Mayor

Diamantina Shire Council.


CEO's CommentsTo succeed at a local level often requires working with other like minded organisations to achieve your common goals.

In our case, Council is a member of many groups whose goals align with our own. Acting regionally facilitates collaboration, innovation and brings economics of scale.

I will try to give a little insight into some of the organisations in which we are a member.

Remote Area Planning and Development Board (RAPAD), comprises Barcaldine, Blackall-Tambo and Longreach Regional Councils and Barcoo, Boulia, Winton and Diamantina Shires, It is widely recognised as a leading example of local government collaboration. It operates various business units such as RAPAD Skilling, (a Registered Training Organisation), RAPAD Employment Services Qld (Employment Services to Western Qld), Rural Financial Counselling Service and various projects including Small Business Counsellor, Qld Feral Pest Initiative, Digital Strategy and Cluster Fencing, Outback Trailblazer and Drought Resilience Funding.

Outback Regional Road and Transport Group (ORRTG). Membership is as per RAPAD and the Department of Transport. The ORRTG Roads Alliance is a partnership between LGAQ, TMR, and local governments and is governed by the Roads Alliance board and a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between LGAQ and TMR. The Constitution and the 2016 RTA Operational Guidelines, which reside under the MoA, set out the Structure, Governance and key functions of the ORRTG. The ORRTG assists in the strategic planning for roads, freight and air transport routes, knowledge sharing, joint procurement and the prioritisation of road funding. Council receives road funding allocated through this group for the upgrade of some Council and DTMR roads.

Outback Regional Water Alliance (ORWA) – This body was established is recognition that local governments faced a number of significant issues in managing their urban water and waste water services. Membership as per the above plus representatives from the Local Government Association of Qld, the Qld Water Directorate and Department of Energy and Water Supply. Funding is provided from the Qld Water Regional Alliances Program for a coordinator. The broad aims of the ORWA are to assist with strategic planning, regulatory compliance and effective water business management, regional advocacy, knowledge sharing forum leveraging technical skills across the region and joint procurement. The ORWA is a leading example of a water alliance in Queensland. An example of the benefit of our membership of this group was the recent air scouring of water mains undertaken in both towns which was a joint procurement project across the 7 council areas.

Each of these organisation meet regularly via teleconference or face to face meetings every quarter which is a great opportunity to put forward the priorities for our shire. In recent weeks, both the ORRG and the ORWA reviewed their strategic direction which will see further support being provided to councils.

CEO’s pf Western Shires (COWS) - I was able to attend the COWS meeting in Brisbane during February, which allowed myself and other CEO’s to speak openly with our guest speakers which included Frankie Carroll Director General of Department of Infrastructure Local Government and Planning, Brendan Moon CEO Qld Reconstruction Authority, Les Dunn Department of Main Roads, Greg Hallam and Tony Goode of LGAQ, and representatives from Telstra, King and Co Solicitors, Localbuy and Qld Transport. Topics included, Grants and subsidies programs, Industrial Relations, NDRRA guidelines, Procurement, Procurement including Telstra contracts, Main Roads future funding.

Until next month..

Leon Love

Chief Executive Officer


DIAMANTINA WORKS & ROAD REPORTConstruction crew have started on the subgrade of the Big Red over taking opportunity, with cutting down of Sandhill’s and subgrade formation.Gravel Crew have started on the TMR Miner Works resheeting job with 3km of gravel carted in, with 16km to go.Multi Skill Crew have been working on the Graham Street Short Stay Accommodation, putting up fences and preparing the new car park. Contractor CrewA Contract Crew have completed the Adria Downs Access Road this crew will start on the Birdsville inside track. A second crew will be working on the Griffith Tank to Coorabulka Road, this will complete the March 2015 Flood damage event.

Future projects for the Shire Upcoming Projects:

• Big Red Road Birdsville: - Pave and Seal 4km over taking opportunity budget of $1.4 million. Funded by Commonwealth Roads to Recovery, Qld Department of Industry, Local Government & Planning and Council.

• Bloodwood Creek pave and seal Diamantina Developmental Road $900,000. • Continuation of Shire Road flood damage restoration works 2015/2016.• Work For Queensland- Shire road maintenance Springvale to Boulia Shire Boundary/ Springvale to

Diamantina Lakes/ Diamantina Lakes to Winton Shire Boundary cost of $1million. • Graham Street Short Stay Accommodation Project• Birdsville Caravan Park Upgrade• Bedourie Caravan Park Upgrade • Stage 3 & 4, Birdsville Streetscape• Construction of various sheds at depots, Bedourie Gym and Bedourie Hall Shade• TMR Minor Works Performance Contract $1,095,600 Gravel Resheet on the Birdsville

Developmental Road.

Thank you Trevor Stewart Infrastructure manager


BIR D S V I L L E POLICE NEWS

G’Day All

The last month has been quiet around the town with everyone getting back to work and school. The weather has been hot as expected but unfortunately we have so far missed out on any rain. Hopefully we get some soon. It has been a good time to catch up on reports, training and preparation for the tourist season. The Jacksons have finally left town heading to their next adventure, we wish them good luck. The search is still on for a replacement officer at Bedourie, to date there have been no suitable applicants hopefully that will change soon and we can find the next police officer to work and live in the Diaman-tina Shire. In the interim a relieving officer will be at Bedourie at until the end of Easter. If the posi-tion is not filled by this time further relieving officers will come down.Co-ordination of volunteer emergency services personnel is underway and I hope to have some infor-mation soon regarding individual training and training exercises. Anyone wishing to volunteer for SES, Rural Fire and Ambulance Driving who hasn’t provided me with their details please do so by contacting me at the Birdsville Police Station.

Crime Stoppers is a community volunteer organisation that believes the general public can help make a difference in solving and preventing crime.Members of the public can report any information about criminal activity either current or past at any time of the day or night either by telephone or via the interent. Providing information to Crime Stoppers can be annonymous. Telephone Calls and emails to Crime Stoppers are not recorded or traced in any way. You may be able to help solve a crime or provide details of criminal activity either current of past sim-ply call 1800 333 000 or via the internet at CrimeStoppers.com.au. Every piece of information helps.


POLICE NEWS

REMINDERQUAD BIKES

Mandatory helmet requirements

It is a requirement for quad bike riders and the drivers of utility off-road vehicles and any passengers carried, to wear an approved motorcycle helmet when the vehicle is operating on a road or road related area.

The requirement for the operator of a quad bike or utility-off road vehicle and their passen-gers to wear a motorcycle helmet is a requirement under the Transport Operations (Road Use Management-Road Rules) Regulation 2009. Failing to comply with the mandatory helmet requirements will result in a fine of $365 and the incursion of 3 demerit points. This offence will also be subject to existing motorcycle helmet double demerit point penalties. If 2 or more motorcycle helmet offences are committed within a 12 month period, the second and subsequent offences will incur double demerit points.

Exemptions from wearing an approved motorcycle helmet still only apply for the driver and passengers of utility off-road vehicles being operated under condition code LO3, provided the vehicle has factory fitted seatbelts and a roll over protection system. There are no other default exemptions from wearing an approved motorcycle helmet for quad bike riders and passengers.

Passengers prohibited on quad bikes and utility off-road vehicles

Children under the age of 8 are prohibited from being carried as passengers on quad bikes and utility off-road vehicles, as well as any child of any age if they are unable to sit with their feet flat on the floor and hands on handholds.

DRONES

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is responsible for regulating and overseeing the safe operations of both remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) and model aircraft -commonly re-ferred to as drones.

Standard Remotely Piloted Aircraft (Drones) operating conditions for general awareness• Only fly in visual line-of-sight• No night flying (generally)• No closer than 30 metres to vehicles, boats, buildings or people• No flying over populous areas such as beaches, heavily populated parks, or

sports ovals while they are in use


• In controlled airspace, which covers most Australian cities, pilots must not fly

higher than 120 metres (400 feet) above the ground.• Pilots must not fly in a way that creates a hazard to other aircraft, so you

should keep at least 5.5 km away from airfields, aerodromes and helicopter landing sites.

Further information about the use of drones and the rights and responsibilities of operators can be found at https://www.casa.gov.au/aircraft/landing-page/flying-drones-australia

Thanks and Stay SafeStephan

POLICE NEWS

Remember You are responsible for each flight Keep your drone in sight Learn to fly your drone Consider rights of privacy Keep your distance

QGAPHi everyone

If you have any QGAP business please either email or give us a call. We will be looking after Bedourie and Birdsville until the new officer is appointed and are happy to make time for you both in our gazetted hours and out of hours if required.

Please call Birdsville Police Station on 4656 5677, or QGap Birdsville on 4656 3310 or email [email protected]

Thanks

Sharon


Bedourie Golf Day Saturday 18 MarchE: [email protected] GymkhanaSaturday 1 & Sunday 2 AprilF: facebook.com/BetootaOutbackQldBedourie Bikes and Bulls Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 April E: [email protected] Day Tuesday 25 April E: [email protected] Birdsville Campdraft, Rodeo & Bronco BrandingSaturday 13 & Sunday 14 MayF: facebook.com/BirdsvillesocialclubRugby League Nines Bedourie Saturday 10 JuneE: [email protected] Horse & Motorbike Gymkhana Saturday 24 & Sunday 25 JuneF: facebook.com/BirdsvillesocialclubBig Red RunSaturday - Thursday 24- 29 JuneF: facebook.com/BigRedRunBedourie Campdraft, Rodeo, Gymkhana & Bronco Branding Friday - Sunday 30 June - 2 July E: [email protected] Red Bash Music EventTuesday - Thursday 4-6 JulyF: facebook.com/Big-Red-BashBedourie Pig & Camel Races & Camp Oven Cook-OffSaturday 8 JulyE: [email protected] RacesSaturday 26 AugP: (07) 4656 3250 F: facebook.com/BetootaOutbackQldBirdsville RacesFriday 1 & Saturday 2 SeptW: birdsvilleraces.comBedourie Races & RodeoFriday 8 & Saturday 9 SeptE: [email protected] Ute Muster Saturday 9 SeptE: [email protected]

Camel Races Photo by Shelly Dillion

upcoming Diamantina Events:


PIANO LESSONS OVER THE PHONE with Ruth Drew

ATCL are commonly characterized by encouragement and laugh-ter, as student and tutor play the piano and sing for each other. Beginner to Grade Six Piano levels catered for. Student age groups: Preschool to Adult. Normal phone calls facilitate twice-weekly les-sons to aid student's efficient progress. Complimenting each phone lesson, lesson sheet music is provided. For information on fees and enrolment, please contact Ruth Drew. Ph: 07 4168 6127


In the Press..... Birdsville's iconic bakery set to re-open after $1.2 million sale (Nine.com.au)

The Birdsville Bakery, an iconic establishment in Queensland's most-remote town, is set to re-open under new ownership after it was sold for $1.2 mil-lion on March 2.

Former bakery owner and co-founder Dusty Miller handed the keys over to Townsville tour operator Martin Josselyn after 12 years of operation last week. The bakery was the first for the town, which only has a regular population of 120 people.

It's set to be back up-and-running by Easter 2017, and Josselyn has confirmed to 9Elsewhere that the curried camel pies that have made it famous will be on the menu when doors open on April 1 (in fact, the recipe was included in the sale).

Formerly based in Townsville – around 1400km north-east of Birdsville – Josselyn has moved his 4WD tour company Adventure Australia Treks and Tours to Birdsville, with plans to expand both busi-nesses from his base at the bakery.

"We have a tourism business, and we were looking for a tourism destination to base that business," Jos-selyn told 9Elsewhere, adding that Birdsville ticked all the boxes.

The town attracts between 40,000 and 60,000 tourists on an annual basis, many of whom travel to the area for the infamous Birdsville Races or Simp-son Desert Big Red Bash. Others trickle in over the course of the regular tourist season, between March and November.

According to The Courier, the sale represents the biggest investment in tourism in the area in a decade.

"Birdsville is a place where there are a lot of visitors every year. Now, we're in front of them, and we're feeding them, too."

When the bakery re-opens in April, Josselyn says they'll continue to specialise in the meals that made the establishment famous – like their big breakfast or camel pies, of which he expects to sell around

15,000 over September's race weekend.

But he's also planning to open the bakery's licenced Hard Road Café in the evenings for camp oven and bistro-style dinners, with his long-time friend, French-born chef Sebastian Badey at the helm.

Despite that, he says the menu will be "nothing fan-cy", but it will be good.

Josselyn's wife and two youngest children are still based in Townsville for their education, while his oldest daughter works as a nurse and oldest son attends university in Brisbane. He says his wife will join him in Birdsville once a month for now, where they – and the bakery's staff – will make up around six percent of the town's entire population.

If you're in town when the bakery officially re-opens on April 1, you can join them for a "housewarming" pie party from 11am. Or, stop in to the Wirrarri Visitors Centre to book a tour.


best of social medias#TheDiamantina


In the Press.....


The Queen’s Baton Relay is coming to the Diamantina and you can be part of its journey to the start of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.Local legends are being called on to carry the Queen’s Baton in Birdsville on 7 March 2018 as it prepares to host the Queen’s Baton Relay.The eyes of the Commonwealth will be on Birdsville as the Baton journeys towards its final destination, the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) Opening Ceremony on 4 April 2018.

Across Australia approximately 3,800 Baton bearers are needed to share the dream of the ‘friendly Games’ as part of the QBR.

From today until 15 May 2017, you can nominate a person who inspires you to be great. Nominations can be made at gc2018.com/qbr.

GC2018 are looking for people who:

• Have achieved something extraordinary or inspired others to achieve something extraordinary; or

• Have made a significant contribution to either sport, education, the arts, culture, charity or within their community; or

• Have excelled, or aspire to excel athletically or personally; or• Contribute to a fun, friendly, vibrant and inclusive community;• Are at least 10 years old as at 25 December 2017; and• Are an Australian citizen or lawfully entitled to reside in Australia during the Re-

lay period (25 December 2017 – 4 April 2018).

Baton bearers will represent our community with pride and showcase to the world our great people and culture.

The Queen’s Baton carries a message from Her Majesty The Queen through the entire Com-monwealth. The Games are declared officially open when the message is read aloud.The Baton will start its global journey at Buckingham Palace on Commonwealth Day on Monday 13 March. It will travel through every Commonwealth nation and territory on its way to Australia.

Setting off in Australia on 25 December 2017, the Baton will travel for 100 days to connect with as many people as possible in every state and territory.


A WHEELIE Important Message to All residents of Birdsville and Bedourie

Wheelie Bins must be out on Tuesday mornings, they need to be on the edge of the footpath or kerb, the lid opening needs to face the road.

Thanks for your cooperation as this makes the Garbo job quicker and easier for all involved.


Justice of the peaceBedourieGordon Jones JP (Qual)Shire Office4746 1202 Home: 47461070

Leon Love JP (Qual)Shire Office

4746 1202

Leanne Hohnke-Jansen JP (Qual)Bedourie State School4746 1224

Garth Tully JP (Qual)Cluny Station 4746 1219

Harin Karra JP (Qual)Shire Office4746 1202

BirdsvilleNell Brook JP (Qual)Brook Proprietors4656 3252

Don Rowlands JP (Qual)National Park Office4656 3272

Geoff Morton JP (Qual)Roseberth Station4656 3250

David Brook JP (C.Dec)Brook Proprietors4656 3252

Andrew Cameron JP (Mag Ct)Birdsville Clinic4656 3245

Barbara Mason JP (Qual)Wirrarri Centre4656 3300

Shire Profile & contact numbersCr Geoff Morton Mayor

BH - (07) 4656 3250 AH - (07) 4656 3250

[email protected]

Cr Steve Cramer Deputy Mayor

BH - (07) 4746 1236 AH - (07) 4746 1236

[email protected]

Cr Don Rayment Councillor

BH - (07) 4656 3321 AH - (07) 4656 3321 [email protected]

Cr Doug Cooms Councillor

BH - (07) 4746 1291 AH - (07) 4746 1205

[email protected]

Cr Bev Maunsell Councillor

BH - (07) 47461156 AH - (07) 47461156

[email protected]

Leon Love Chief Executive Officer

BH - (07) 4746 1202

[email protected]

Trevor Stewart Infrastructure Manager

BH - (07) 4746 1202 AH - (07) 4746 1021

[email protected]

Jock McDonald

Birdsville Town Services Foreman

BH - (07) 4656 3350 AH - 0407 146 902 [email protected]

Jodie Girdler

Bedourie Town Services Foreman

BH - (07) 4746 1202 AH - (07) 4746 1160

[email protected]

desert yarns - diamantina shire council · desert yarns march 2017. desert ... the purpose being...

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