eConnect Newsletter Issue 1 - 28 March 2013

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Community Visioning Sessions planned

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Meeting to reignite local emergency committee

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Float a feature of parade

IN OTHER NEWS

Pro Skateboarders to headline

Youth are urged to get involved in National Youth Week from April 5 to 14. A range of activities and events have been planned to celebrate our region's young people, including headline act 'Drawing Boards' who are set to wow the crowds with their extraordinary skateboarding manoeuvres. Check out the Calendar of Events or phone Council's Youth Development Officer Vernetta Perrett on 49766311 for more details.

Motorsports get new leases

Gladstone District Dirt Riders Club and the Central Queensland Drag Racing Association will continue to operate at the Benaraby Motorsports Complex for at least the next decade. Both organisations have been awarded a new 10 year lease over amended lease areas, so that clear boundaries can be created for all users. Read more...

Road Repairs

Council's Road Services' resources were deployed to repair roads and infrastructure to a reasonable standard under the Emergent Works (emergency works) guidelines as set by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority. Mayor Gail Sellers says contractors had also been engaged by Council to assist with emergent works, repairing potholes and seal failures as a result of the extensive damage caused by January flooding. "Subsequent wet weather in February delayed the progress of works and heavy machinery access has been difficult in areas which were inundated by flood waters," she said. Most roads in the region are now accessible but some still have restricted access until major works can occur. Council publishes restoration works information under the Roadworks tab on Council's website as they are funded and approved.

Community Visioning Sessions planned

Council is hosting two Structure Planning Exercises called "Community Visioning Sessions" at Calliope Community Centre, 5 Don Cameron Drive, Calliope, on Tuesday, April 9 from 5.30pm to 8.00pm; and at the Agnes Water Community Centre, 71 Springs Road, Agnes Water on Wednesday, May 29 from 5.30pm to 8.00pm. These sessions aim at getting community input into the preparations of local plans for each community as part of the development of the region's inaugural single land use planning scheme. If you are interested in attending these sessions or to find out more visit Council's Community Visioning Sessions webpage.

Meeting to reignite local emergency committee

If you live in the Baffle Creek, Lowmead or Rosedale areas, don't forget to note on April 13 Council will host an introductory meeting at the Baffle Creek Sport and Recreation Grounds to re-establish the Local Emergency Coordination Committee (LECC) for the area. Mayor Gail Sellers is encouraging residents to attend the meeting to find out more about the LECC. LECCs are established throughout Queensland to help Council-run local disaster management groups with various responsibilities. To find out more, phone 4970 0700 or email info@gladstonerc.qld.gov.au

Float a feature of parade

Council staff and volunteers turned out to assist artist Kim Scrimshaw in designing and building this year's Council float for the 2013 Gladstone Harbour Festival Street Parade. The brightly coloured float was a feature of the March 24 parade that made its way through the CBD and to the Gladstone Marina. Themed "Roll Up, Roll Up", the procession attracted 50 floats and thousands of spectators. Council carpenter Sam Munroe and painter Peter Bergqvist weaved their magic in creating the float and Council's technical officer Aaron Ibbotson volunteered as driver. Friends of the Art Gallery and Museum volunteers also assisted. The success of this float, however, is largely attributable to the dedication of Cultural Projects Officer Di Paddick who coordinates the effort on behalf of Council every year.

ALSO OF INTEREST

School holiday fun

If you're looking for something to do these Easter school holidays then be sure to check out the list of activities on offer at various Council facilities, including the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum; Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens and the Regional Libraries. Some activities require advance bookings. Read more for further information and booking details.

Upcoming Council meeting dates

April 2 & 16.

Residents are welcome to attend Gladstone Regional Council's ordinary meetings, held at the Gladstone Administration Centre boardroom, 101 Goondoon Street. View the General Meeting Calendar for 2013.

Palm Drive sports fields to be upgraded

Council is about to commence remediation work to upgrade the Palm Drive Sports Complex in Gladstone. Subsidence over the former landfill area has resulted in uneven playing surfaces on two fields. Mayor Gail Sellers said the work was expected to take four to five months to complete but would not impact junior fixtures with games moved for the season. She said Football Central Queensland had elected to seek the use of alternative fields to enable the works to be unhindered and to ensure safety for players.

Development approvals continue upward trend

The continual and positive growth in development statistics attests to the fact that the Gladstone region offers people a great place to live and work. Since July 2009, Council has approved more than 1156 dwellings, duplexes and units to be built in the Gladstone area, with the value of works totalling more than $550 million since 2011-12. During the 2009-10 financial year, there were 352 dwellings and 138 duplexes and units approved. The number of approvals has continued to rise in the current 2012-13 period with 766 dwellings and 390 duplexes and units. Read more for further development statistics.