Community Councillor Report – August 2019

Funding applications (50% contribution) to be made under the Qld Gov. Building Our Regions to resurface the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail at Coominya and Lowood to Fernvale, at a total estimated cost of $2.2m.

Funding application (50% contribution) to be made under the Qld Gov. Building Our Regions to provide a Lowood to Fernvale recycled water project, including pumping, storage and telemetry, at a total estimated cost of $518,000.

Six Somerset Excellence Bursaries awarded – for individual attendance at Toowoomba, Pittsworth, Redcliffe, Sydney and China sporting events.

Council agreed to commit to a financial commitment of $25,000 to further commence negotiations with Race Promotions to stage the Wivenhoe Triathlon in April or October 2020.

Council will call quotations to design works for the Fernvale Sports Centre as part of the PCYC management agreement to provide an area specifically for gymnastics.

Kilcoy Showgrounds RV dump point to be relocated closer to the entrance. A report will be provided on the proposed location following investigations.

Pool admission fees will be standardised across the region with monthly, season and multi-visit passes to include access to all four facilities. Refer to website for full list of fees. (i.e. single entry pass Adult $5, child $4, senior $4 and family $16. Children under 3 and spectators are free.)

Council approved a temporary entertainment event application to operate two fundraising events at Archer Falls Airfield. The events are being run as major fundraisers for Salubrious 1, a Great Endeavour Rally entrant. Dates – 14 September 2019 and 28 March 2020.

Relay for Life – Fernvale Lions are still looking for teams. Please consider, or this event may not continue.

Council is supportive of exploring the possibility of providing a mountain bike track in our region. Identified sites to be further explored and assessed by professional track designers.

Council was successful with eight funding applications for rooftop solar projects, costing $307,305.

Councillors and Directors met with Trade & Investment Qld and West Moreton Trade & Investment to further explore the ability to develop initiatives and to support greater trade and investment outcomes and collaboration across the West Moreton region.

SEQWater is considering next steps with leasing the Cormorant Bay Café due to no bids being received via the public tenders called over two rounds, the last round closing 12 July 2019. Council has communicated its position with SEQWater over this matter
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2019 Somerset Garden Competition at this stage is still being held. Entries to be completed by 5pm Wednesday 2 October. Winners announced Thursday 17 October and gardens open for viewing Saturday and Sunday, 25/26 October.

Council is seeking your feedback with the proposal to seal cycleway between Somerset and Ipswich council areas. Proposal of a 2.5m wide, 17.4 km long concrete corridor would link Clive Street in Fernvale to Bayley Road in Pine Mountain. We are also seeking feedback with the services, facilities and programs offered by our library branches in Esk, Kilcoy, Lowood and Toogoolawah.

400 fish landed at Reel Wivenhoe Classis held over the weekend of 15/17 August. There was also a record number of 86 teams this year.

The nation’s biggest sale trail is coming to our region. Council has supported this initiative for the next two years. Local households, schools and community groups will join more than 400,000 people across the country on 19 & 20 October for the ninth annual Garage Sale Trail. Online registrations opened on 10 August. I support the idea entirely and look forward to encouraging our communities to reuse, recycle and reduce waste.

Remember to get your tickets for the third annual Mayoral Gala Charity Ball to be held on 7 September. This year’s ball has a Casino Royale theme.