ENGINEERING SERVICES HIGHLIGHTS AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES REPORT – MONTH ENDING NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 2010

Author: DIRECTOR ENGINEERING SERVICES

Purpose To review Engineering Services Department highlights and significant issues for the month ending November and December 2010.

Background and Discussion Highlights and Significant Issues for period are as follows: -

ENGINEERING SERVICES MANAGEMENT Coordination of project meetings, briefings and reports on the following projects: • Attended Community Resilience Project Steering Committee meeting in Brisbane • Inspections with Cr Casey at Ball Bay, Midge Point and Devereaux Creek Road • Presented the Engineering Services Service Level Review to Councillors • Held a public meeting with McEwen's Beach residents to discuss foreshore erosion • Site inspections with Cr. Walker • Site Inspection with Cr. Meng on Silingardies Road • Met with Sarina Beach Progress Association • Attended a DDMG and LDMG meeting in November and December

On-going involvement in the following areas: • Corporate Projects Committee, Management Leadership Forum and Sustainable Futures Committee

Meetings • LGEG, Transport Working Group and Paget Depot Project Steering Committee • Safe Plan, Design and Construct Review Meetings and SES matters • City Focus Advisory Committee and Rural Affairs Advisory Committee

CIVIL PROJECTS (CONSTRUCTION)

Works have been completed on the following projects:

DAY LABOUR

• Carlyle Street resurfacing between River and Victoria Street • Blue Water Trail Lagoon to Bridge Road section • Gordon Street / Tennyson Street - intersection roundabout

Stockbridge Road

CONTRACTS

• Farrellys Road, Connors Road to Michelmore Street, Paget

Farrellys Road Reconstruction

Works have been substantially completed on the following projects: DAY LABOUR

• Crightons Road depot access • Bridge Road drainage widening - Leisure Court to Irving Street • Bridge Road footpath between - Leisure Court and Irving Street • Casey Avenue Leisure Court extension • Fernleigh Avenue / Maple Drive intersection • Wellington Street Alfred to Shakespeare Street • New Bus Shelters 11 number • Illuka Park Drainage works • Lawson Street, River to Victoria Street

Stockbridge Road

CONTRACTS

• Flood Package 8 – Mackay North 2008 • Brisbane Street Reconstruction

Brisbane Street Reconstruction

The following projects are in progress: DAY LABOUR

• Kinchant Dam reconstruction • Connors Road - between Archibald Street and Boundary Road • Bontanic Garden carpark • Stockbridge Street reconstruction • Middle Creek Road • Norris Road at Beaconsfield Road • Freshwater Point Boat Ramp • Casey Ave Drainage at Bridge Road

Illuka Park Drainage

CONTRACTS • Bluewater Trail Caneland Park • Flood Package 9 – Mackay North 2, 2008 • Flood Package 11 – Midge Point 2008 • Crediton Loop Road • Roger Road Culverts • Optic Fibre Communications • Flood Package 12, 2008 • 2009 Flood Saturation Damage Restoration Package 901 • 2009 Flood Saturation Damage Restoration Package 902 • Glenpark Street Signalisation

Bluewater Trail Caneland Park

The following projects have been awarded: CONTRACTS

• 2009 Flood Saturation Damage Restoration Package 903 • 2009 Flood Saturation Damage Restoration Package 904 • 2009 Flood Saturation Damage Restoration Package 905 • 2009 Flood Saturation Damage Restoration Package 906 • Perry Road Reconstruction • Mango Avenue Reconstruction

The following projects have been put to tender: CONTRACTS

• 2009 Flood Saturation Damage Restoration Package 907

CIVIL OPERATIONS (MAINTENANCE)

Maintenance Grading in the following areas:

Submergence Repairs – March 2010 Event

Chelman’s Road, Mt Barker Road.

Formation Grading Victoria Street, Mezzens Road, Thomas Road, Quattromanis Road, Telegraph Street.

Temporary Gravel Road Repairs

Dam Road, Dalrymple Road.

Shoulder Grading Mt Martin Loop Road, Mezzens Road.

Special Works: Footpath repairs – Barbara Street. Vegetation Control – Barrie Lane, Steven Drive, Austin’s Road, Stony Creek Road. Sign & Guidepost repairs – Dalrymple Heights area, Urannah Road, Devereux Creek Road, Homebush area, Victoria Plains area. Culvert & Pipe repairs – Hunter Street, Coyne Street, Berri-Werri Cattle Creek Road, Mackay-Eungella Road, and Wollingford Road. Kerb & Channel repairs – Water Board Patching - David Muir Street, Mansfield Drive, Victoria Street, Green Street, Blacks Beach Road, Bourke Street, Keswick Avenue, Amhurst Street, Canberra Street, Cahill Crescent, Waverley Street, St Bees Avenue, Gentle Avenue, Outlook Crescent, Farmer Street, Crispin Drive, Amelia Drive, Smalley Street, Apollo Drive. Pothole Patching: Helens Court, Delschantos Road, Mandarana Road, Farleigh-Habana Road, Waddell’s Road, Harveys Road, Willis Street, Balnagowan-Mandurana Road, Knobels Road, Kochs Road, Admiral Drive, Bald Hill Road, Mansfield Drive, Nadina Street, Banksia Avenue, Willetts Road, Sugarshed Road, Fernleigh Avenue, Pleystowe Connection Road, Doyles Road, Cox Road, Evans Avenue, Beaconsfield Road, Harvey’s Road, Keeleys Road, Glenpark Street, Holts Road, Sologinkins Road, Trevaskis Road, Amhurst Street, Nebia-Conningsby Road, Keswick Avenue, Cahill Crescent, Waverley Street, Schapers Road, Davey Street, Glendaragh Road, Glenella-Richmond Road, Oak Street, Celeber Drive, Chidlow Street, Wainai Road, Glenella Road, Maple Drive, Greenfields Boulevard, Glenpark Street, Bedford Road, Norris Road, Raymond Croker Avenue, Annie Wood Avenue, Bona Vista Avenue, Charles Hodge Avenue, Hill End Road, Ron Searle Drive, Pioneer Street, Grendon Street, Ungerer Street, Hamilton Street, King Street, McKinley Street, McCulloch Street, Shakespeare Street, Milton Street, Boulton Street, Sonnyboy Creek Road, Mirani streets, Devereux Creek Road, Stockroute Road, Homebush Road, Victoria Plains area, McEwens Beach Road, Dunrock area, Munbura area, Palmyra area, Olletts Road, Sunset Drive, Rosewood Drive, Blacks Beach Road, David Muir Street, Cutler Drive, Nicklin Drive, Sans Terrace, Arana Drive, . Drainage Maintenance: Schulmanns Road, Crediton area, Bee Creek Road, Berri-Werri Cattle Creek Road, Victoria Plains area, Bakers Creek area, Thomas Road, Oakenden area, Dunrock area, Balberra area. Mowing & Slashing: Homebush area, Oakenden area & Sunnyside area.

Main Roads RMPC:

Other Bituminous Works / Pothole Patching / Pavement Repairs

Bruce Highway (North), Peak Downs Highway, Marlborough-Sarina Road, Sarina-Homebush Road, Mackay-Eungella Road, Mackay-Habana Road, Hay Point Road.

Heavy Formation grading / gravel resheeting / other formation works

Yakapari-Habana Road.

Culvert / Drainage Works Yakapari-Habana Road, Eimeo Road, Bruce Highway North, Mackay-Eungella Road, Eton-Homebush Road, Mackay Bypass Road.

Tractor Slashing Rural / Urban / Boom Mowing / Clearing Works / Herbicide Spraying / Declared Plant Spraying

Bruce Highway (South), Bruce Highway (North), Marlborough-Sarina Road, Rosella-Homebush Road, Sarina-Homebush Road, Eton-Homebush Road, Mackay-Habana Road, Sarina Coast Road, Hay Point Road, Yakapari-Habana Road, Mackay-Bucasia Road, Eimeo Road, Mackay-Slade Point Road, Mirani-Eton Road, Koumala-Bolingbroke Road, Mackay Bypass Road, Peak Downs Highway, Maraju-Yakapari Road, Rockleigh-North Mackay Road, Mackay-Eungella Road, Gargett-Mia Mia Road, Marian-Eton Road, North Eton Road, Mia Mia Connection Road, Marian-Hampden Road, Mirani-Mt Ossa Road, Mt Ossa-Seaforth Road, Yakapari-Seaforth Road.

Rest Area Servicing Bruce Highway (North).

Road Sweeping/Roadside Litter Collection

Mackay-Slade Point Road, Bruce Highway (South), Bruce Highway (North), Mackay-Bucasia Road, Mackay-Slade Point Road.

Emergency Call Outs Sarina-Homebush Road, Eton-Homebush Road, Mackay-Eungella Road, Yakapari-Habana Road, Mackay-Bucasia Road, Eimeo Road, Mackay-Slade Point Road.

Signs / Guide Post Works Bruce Highway (South), Bruce Highway (North), Mackay-Bucasia Road, Eimeo Road, Marian-Eton Road.

Quarry Operations:

Gravel from the following quarries was extracted during November and December: Eton, Hazelwoods, Hoffman, Johnson, Omands and Tecon Gap.

December

December has been a very busy month for all departmental activities due the recent torrential rain - Emergent works pertaining to this even have been completed at the following location :-

Bedford Road, Maple Drive, Oak Street, Lembergs Road, Pittman Street, Bald Hill Road, Balnagowan Mandurana, Barcoo Road, Bonsons Scrub Road, Cox’s Road, Hicks Road, Holts Road Keeleys Road, Lanes Road, Le Gardes Road, Mapalo Road, Nebia-Conningsby Road, Schapers Road, Boyd’s Road, Quattromanis Road, Cowleys Road, Hansens Road, Landsdowne Road, Munburra Road, Newbury-Mt Vince, Sievers Road, Stockroute Road, Cape Hillsborough, Caping Road, Chidgeys Road, Clanside Road, Clews Road, Dougherty’s Road, Ellis Road, Howells Road, Johansens Road, Mt Martin Road Rise & Shine Road, Ruggeri’s Road, Watsons &

Boyd’s Road, Ball Street, Davey Street, Hill End Road, Pioneer Street, Horse And Jockey Road, Annie Wood Avenue, Barnes Creek Road, Bona Vista Drive, Charles Hodge Avenue, Evans Avenue, Grendon Street, Hamilton Street, Harvey Street, King Street, Mcculloch Street, McKinley Street, Norris Road, Raymond Croker Drive, Ungerer Street, East Point Drive, Shell Street, George Street, Tern Street, Haber’s Road, Greenmount Road, Arana Drive, Calen - Mt Charlton, Farleigh –Habana, Pleystowe Connection Road- Rocky Waterhole Road, Seaforth Road, Walkerston Homebush Road, Connors Road, Riverside Drive, Miles Road, Gels Road, Stacey’s Road, Old Bowen Coach Road, Ellen Casey Road, Archibald Street, Bannister Street, Binnington Esplanade, Bridge Road, Bronte Street, Chauvel Street, George Street, Hume Street, Mangrove Road, Milton Street, Paradise Street, Renou Court, Shakespeare Street, Victoria Street, Wood Street, River Street, Ron Searle Drive, Eden Court, Arthur Creek Road, Victor Creek Road, Longair Street, Rae Street, Glenella – Richmond Road , Sarina Inlet way, Armstrong Beach, Bally Keeel Road, Borgs Road, Campbell Road, Chin Creek Road, Courtney’s Gap Road, Dawlish Road, S Deguara Avenue, East Funnel Creek, East Inneston Road, Riversleigh Road, Garrett Road, Grasstree Road, Grasstree Beach, Gurnett Road, Jackson Street, Lally Road, Leonie Court, Mick Ready Road, Muller Road, Newbery Road, Rand Road, Ricotta Road, Rifle Range Road, Riley Road, Rocky Dam Road, Tara Creek Road, Tennis Court Road, Theresa Court Road, Upper Alligator Road, West Plane Creek Road, Wilson Road.

Quattromanis Road – Eton

Arthur Creek Road – Sarina

TECHNICAL SERVICES

• Development and design of projects for saturation damage projects throughout the Council area.

• Development and design of projects within Capital Works Programme.

• Development of draft 20 yr Capital Works Programme making provision for all current projects and proposed development projects.

• Discussion with property owners and utility providers regarding future road construction at Connors Road (Farrelly to Archibald). Land Acquisitions and realignment notices underway.

• Lead role in discussions with Consultants and developers regarding design works, division of costs and infrastructure agreements for Farrelly’s Road (Connors to Milton) reconstruction and upgrading.

• Lead role in discussions with Consultants, DTMR, residents and Colonial Mutual regarding upgrading of Malcomson/Greenfields & Malcomson/Charles Hodge Intersections. Detail design Greenfields intersection commenced while Malcomson/Charles Hodge mostly completed.

• Consultation and detail design regarding Paradise Street (George to Henman Streets) upgrading.

• Consultation and detail design regarding Archibald Street (Connors to Milton) upgrading.

• Consultation and detail design of the HAFF Grant project including Rosewood Drive from Mackay Bucasia road to Chenoweth Drive.

• Discussions with Consultant with regard to finalisation of planning study for Paget intersections and future heavy vehicle paths. Concept planning of intersection upgrades complete and detail design commenced.

• Detail design of culvert crossing Casey Avenue, concept development and detail design for stadium access, car park and Bluewater Trail extension.

• Lead role in discussions with QT regarding the preparation of detail design for on land facilities for Constant Creek boat ramp design.

• Preparation of RRG, Blackspot, SafeST and RLCIP grant subsidy applications.

• Lead role in the preparation of “Safety in Design’, Erosion and Sediment Control and Fish passage and Waterway Barrier applications in relation to designs to meet industry standards.

• Attendance at Paget Depot Management Group & Steering Committee meetings and Corporate Projects Meetings, Smart Housing committee, Traffic Modelling presentation, 2010 Flood Damage design discussions, Service Level Review presentation & Safeplan training.

• Attendance at Whitsunday Regional Roads Group Technical Committee, Transport Working Group & bi-monthly DTMR Road Infrastructure Group meetings.

• On site and off site residents meetings at Anzac/Kennys Intersection, Mango Avenue, McEwens Beach Erosion, Stadium Masterplan and Malcomson Street upgrading.

• Attendance at Mackay CBD LAP meeting.

• Provision of reports to Council on Petition regarding speeding in Danastas and Matterson Avenues, Traffic Advisory Committee Meeting and Realignment Notice issues in Cowleys Road, Connors Road, and Archibald/Paradise/Connors Intersection.

• Provision of briefing to Council on Councils construction and design program, rural road upgrading prioritisation process and 2011-12 Indicative Capital Works Program.

PARKS AND ENVIRONMENT

The Parks & Environment report for the month of November and December contains information on activities undertaken throughout the month by the staff within the program.

Officers on call attended; November - 18 after hours phone calls and 2 after hours call outs.

December - 20 after hours phone calls and 7 after hours call outs

Administration – November 77 park bookings were recorded December – 69 park booking were recorded, unfortunately the majority of bookings were later cancelled due to weather conditions.

Technical Officers – November - 2 Developer meetings, 3 “On Maintenance” inspections, 5 “Off Maintenance” inspections. December – 1 Developer meeting, 3 “On Maintenance” inspections, 4 “Off Maintenance” inspections.

Horticulture Activities – November – 427343 m2 garden beds serviced; 13 hours spent repairing irrigation; 37.5 hours spraying herbicide December – 54887 m2 garden beds serviced; 3.5 hours spraying herbicide

Grass Maintenance Activities – November – 761474m2 parks mowing, 15870m2 Drains mowed; 57568m2 Community Halls mowed, 368988m2 easements mowed; 220 man hours spent whipper-snipping; 31 man-hours spend litter collecting; 84 man-hours spent pruning trees/plants; 2798 toilets cleaned; 1380 BBQs cleaned. December - 197270m2 parks mowing, 48563m2 Community Halls mowed, 76649m2 easements mowed; 49.5 man hours spent whipper-snipping; 2 hours spent litter collecting; 12 man hours spent pruning trees/plants; 3016 toilets cleaned; 1426 BBQs cleaned.

Natural Environment and Marine Beach Activities –

Conservation Volunteers worked for a week at each of the following four sites: Louisa Creek, Finlayson Point, Grendon Parks and Ball Bay, undertaking weed control, revegetation maintenance, tree planting and rubbish removal.

40 Midge Point community members planted over 200 trees, shrubs and groundcovers on the beach, to help minimise erosion and replace the considerable amount of vegetation that was lost during cyclone Ului.

Council adopted the first eight beach plans after a lengthy period of community consultation. Work is now progressing on the remaining plans.

Council closed Sandfly Creek Environmental Reserve to dogs for the wader season (October to April). A significant education campaign was initiated including the design and installation of signage, brochures and a ‘welcome to the waders’ information day. Discussions were held with local laws staff regarding potential enforcement activities after the education and awareness raising stage.

Signage outlining the seasonal closure to dogs at Sandfly Welcome to the waders event at Sandfly Creek Creek Environmental Reserve Environmental Reserve

As part of Coast Care week, community planting bees were held at Shoal Point and Bucasia and over 200 native trees and shrubs were planted. Repairs were conducted on the McEwens Beach, Bucasia and Seaforth swimming enclosures in preparation for the summer season.

Quotes were called for the preparation of the Shoreline Erosion Management Plan for Midge Point Beach. This report will document the coastal processes occurring at Midge Point, model future erosion risks, outline potential responses and recommend a remediation strategy for the consideration of council.

The Pioneer Catchment and Landcare Group (PCL), the Sarina Landcare Catchment Management Association (SLCMA) and Council worked together to develop a plan for implementation of the Land for Wildlife Program in the region, including surveying current participants about their program needs.

Liaised with PCL and SLCMA regarding their special projects funding and the development of work plans. This included a field visit to sites in the Pioneer Valley to discuss a potential weed control and restoration project centred on the Pioneer River.

Liaised with Reef Catchments regarding the review of the Natural Environment Plan.

Staff worked undertaking weed control and tree planting work at a range of natural environment and coastal sites.

Initiated a project in partnership with Skills Training Mackay which will involve 5 workers appointed for 16 weeks under the ‘Skilling Queenslanders for work program’, to work with existing parks and environment teams. This project will commence in late January 2011.

Supported a funding application to have Conservation Volunteers Australia teams work for one week a month implementing the beach plans as part of the coastal project.

Flooding and work practices in the wet during heavy rain

Arboriculture Activities –

Bassett Street Park received major damage to trees during a “mini-cyclone” in December which required additional work during the public holiday break. The area was initially cordoned off until work recommenced on December 29th.

Christmas decorations were installed during November and December by staff in each area

Tree crews completed the following work during the months of November and December. Please note that December figures are still incomplete.

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November 2010  308  262  11  22  2  128  44  12  55  51 December 2010   65  26     3     107  2  3  9  28 

Cemetery Operations –

The following figures show cemetery activity throughout November and December:

Cemetery  Nov‐10  Dec‐10Burials Mt Bassett  9  18 Burials Mt Bassett Ashes  5  2 Burials ‐ Mackay  3  2 Burials ‐ Mackay Ashes  0  0 Burials ‐ Walkerston  6  5 Burials ‐ Walkerston (Ashes)  2  2 Burials ‐ Mirani  2  0 Burials ‐ Marian  1  1 Burials‐ Sarina  3  1 

Hand Dig of grave  2  3 

Parks Building Services Activities –

November - Electrical staff attended to 25 traffic light lamp replacements, 10 traffic light emergency response calls, 5 traffic light part replacements, repaired 1 vandalised set of traffic lights and performed 2 general maintenance checks of all traffic lights. Other electrical work for the month included 4 site hut connections, 4 test and tag inspections, 2 RCD 12 monthly tests, 5 park light repairs, 2 depot repairs, 10 building electrical repairs, 4 amenity repairs, 2 electric BBQ repairs and installed 1 Christmas tree lighting.

December - Electrical staff attended to 29 traffic light lamp replacements, 8 traffic light emergency responses, 7 traffic light part replacements and performed 3 general maintenance checks of traffic lights. Other electrical work included 1 test and tag inspection, 2 RCD 12 monthly tests, 3 park light repairs, 3 BBQ repairs, 11 building electrical repairs and installed 4 Christmas tree lighting.

Work performed by Parks Building Services staff in November and December included repainting 11 shelters at Mulherin Park, 4 shelters at Muller Park and 1 shelter at Swan St Park. Also repaired vandalism and repainted toilets at Queens Park, rebuilt damaged walls in amenities at Mulherin Park and repaired and repainted 16 picnic table combinations at various locations. A seat was removed and replaced with a new one at Midge Point and a picnic setting replaced at Mt Ossa. There were also 6 minor repairs to public amenities. Vandalised downpipes on the Jubilee Park Shelter were replaced.

Operational (documented) inspections were conducted on play equipment at 25 locations during November and 28 locations during December. There were 33 repairs to play equipment completed during November and 19 during December.

Staff were also involved in capital works- construction of new picnic shelter at Muller Park, monument refurbishment at Jubilee Park, toilet block upgrade at Habana, toilet block upgrade at Finch Hatton and replacement of roof facia and soffit at Apex Park Sarina, provision of solid roofed shade structures to play equipment at Bussutin Park, Settlers Rise, Griffin Park, North Eton and Eton Reserve. The large amenity block at Seaforth Campground was fully refurbished including new flake floor, new wall tiles, new plumbing fixtures, repairs to concrete block walls, replacement of doors and a full repaint. Play equipment removed from Annie Wood Park in recent upgrade was refurbished and installed in Tanglewood Park. The construction of new amenities at Northview Park and Mt Bassett Cemetery is in progress. Construction of a replacement picnic shelter at Coral Point Campwin Beach and a new shelter for Armstrong Beach has been commenced.

Capital Projects – The following projects are completed – Monument Restoration Works Jubilee Park, Apex Park amenity, Roof and Soffit, Seaforth Campground Amenity Refurbishment, Replacement Picnic Shelter Muller Park, Bussutin Park Shade Structure, Settlers Rise Shade Structure, Griffin Park Shade Structure, North Eton Shade Structure, Eton Reserve Shade Structure, Habana Amenities Refurbishment.

Monument Restoration Works Jubilee Park Seaforth Campground Amenities Refurbishment

Replacement Picnic Shelter Muller Park Bussutin Park Shade Structure

Settlers Rise Shade Structure Griffin St Shade Structure

North Eton Shade Structure

Projects in Construction –

Northview Park Amenity Mt Bassett Amenity Campwin Beach Picnic Shelter Melba Park Picnic Shelter: Materials ordered, construction to commence late January

School and school holiday tours and activities

Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens - Horticultural and Site Works November 9 - visit from new Whitsunday Regional Botanic Gardens officer Leigh Benson to discuss setting up the processes of a botanic gardens, sharing plant knowledge and database information, programming works, volunteers/Friends group advice and developing key linkages between to the two botanic gardens. Development of Accession based database continued by Team Leader - 22hrs • New ACLH turf trial site at Meadowlands - delayed due to weather. Site prep to continue in January. • Cremorne Visitors Centre car park - Murraya paniculata hedge was cut down low to increase visibility on

Police CPTED advice to curb loitering and illicit behaviour after hours • Fernery re-mulched and pathway re-gravelled - 25.4hrs • Drainage repairs and extras installed - 115hrs • Mowing 252000m2 • Snipping 13,120 linear metres + 2385m2 square metres of drains, banks, etc. • Cleaning, including toilets and bin collection 182hrs • Garden bed maintenance - 90hrs • Pruning (trees, shrubs including hedging) - 31hrs

Staffing levels: 1 staff member on light duties all November, 1 staff member away on family leave all December, 2 temps for 12 working days, 5 days annual leave, over 150 working hours lost to outside tasks due to weather.

Weather Station Data November: rainfall for month 459.2mm Days of rain (>0.2mm) 27 Av. Temperature for Month (deg C) 23.5 High Wind Speed (knots) 24.3 Avg. Wind Speed (knots) 2.2 Dom. Wind direction E December: rainfall for month 602.8mm Days of rain (>0.2mm) 19 Av. Temperature for Month (deg C) 25.8 High Wind Speed (knots) 30.4 Avg. Wind Speed (knots) 1.4 Dom. Wind direction E

Visitor Services Program

The ‘Botanic Gardens’ Visitor Services and Education Programs are meeting Council’s objectives of providing learning and information for the community in regards to sustaining and enhancing our natural assets, habitats and ecosystems. Four schools (Hampton, Sarina, Andergrove, St. Francis) during November and December utilised specifically designed education sessions focussing on Water catchments, Human impacts on the Environment, as well as Biodiversity (including Birds, Water plants and macro-invertebrates, Leaf shapes and Mini-beasts). Teachers also visited the Gardens to research and discuss with the Visitor Services Officer, the living resource that the Gardens is and create self guided educational sessions for their school excursions. The Mirani Girl Guides also utilised the growing mobile educational resources of the Gardens when staff visited their group with a collection of creatures including live and preserved specimens (‘mobile museum’). The visit highlighted the diversity of the creatures that could be found in their own backyards and the importance in sustaining these in our environments.

Printbank Mackay Gallery

Education is not only hands on at the Gardens, but the Botanic Gardens website is being revitalised and is now providing the community with more fact sheets, up-coming events, school holiday activities, photo gallery, ‘get involved’ opportunities as well as regular e-news to help build a strong network of information for people in the community to engage with. The school holiday activity in December titled “Leaves Sticks and Sparkly Bits” provided 120 children (12 sessions over 6 days) with opportunities to create decorative pieces from nature’s materials. The Garden’s school holiday activities are proving so popular that the sessions book out early and a waiting list has to be created in case of any cancellations. Volunteers continue to be involved with the Gardens, enhancing not only the life of seniors/retirees within the region but also much of the younger generations too, with their efforts greatly appreciated and thanked with the end of year social. The annual Shiny Shovel Award’ going to a keen volunteer who works late in the afternoon and sometimes by lamplight weeding and planting in the Gardens. The Friends of the Gardens were not able to raise funds this year at the annual ‘Christmas in the Gardens’ (a family community event) due to the extreme dampness of the site, disappointing as funds raised are always used to add to the Gardens programs. Further drainage of the Tropical Sun Garden lawn will be investigated. The Botanic Gardens also provides the community with the Lagoons Gallery and during the two months of November and December, 2 Exhibitions… “The Mates Exhibition” and Printbank Mackay’s ‘Humans in Gardens’ drew many visitors to the Gardens to comment, purchase and view artworks by members of the Mackay community. The two exhibitions provided opportunities for over 10 local artists to showcase their creations. The last 2 months of 2011 proved to be a very busy time in the Botanic Gardens despite the rain being a dampening element to many outdoor events. November: 3 school visits December: 1 school visit. School Holiday activities ‘Leaves sticks and sparkly bits’, making natures Christmas decorations. 12 sessions over 6 days, 120 children attended. There was a waiting list for more places as we booked out so quickly. During November and December – the following other functions occurred: November: 3 booked weddings, 2 cancelled*. 2 wedding receptions & 3 Christmas functions in Lagoons Gallery. The Health and Harmony Festival cancelled and re-booked for December*. In the meeting room there were 4 council bookings, 6 community bookings and 4 from various businesses. December: 2 booked weddings, both cancelled*. 3 Christmas functions in Lagoons Gallery. The Health and Harmony Festival, Santa Paws and Christmas in the Gardens were all cancelled. In the meeting room there was 1 council booking, 3 community bookings and 3 from various businesses. From the 14.12.10 to 20.01.11 the meeting room has been booked out with school holiday activities. *Please note all cancellations were due to the wet weather.

Consultation

There has been consultation with Engineering Services Program Managers.

Resource Implications Nil.

Conclusion

The November and December period was very testing on both staff and Council's infrastructure due to the extensive period of rain. Operations were essentially focused on repairs and reinstatement of assets. The overall capital works program will subsequently be reviewed in March 2010 to ascertain the status of the overall program.

Officer’s Recommendation THAT this report be received.