Councillor Report – Ordinary Meeting 12 July 2017
Category : General News
Cr Cheryl Gaedtke – Ordinary Meeting 12 July 2017
Agenda Item # 5 Matters of Public Interest
21 July Christmas in July – Lowood
22 July Rural Fire Challenges – Kilcoy Showground
25 July Lowood QCWA 90th Birthday
27 July Glamorgan Vale QCWA Birthday
29 July KASI Christmas In July
The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail (BVRT) Users thanked Somerset Regional Council for fabricating and supplying the very much needed BVRT Detour signs. By all reports the signs made an immediate difference, by providing rail trail users easy navigation of the detour route. Feedback from cyclists using the detour route has been very positive.
Agenda Item # 29 Councillors’ Reports
Meetings/Functions attended
28 June Meeting with Manager Kilcoy Sports Centre, CEO, DCCS, SRO – Esk
28 June Kilcoy Toastmasters Annual Changeover of Executive
30 June Lions Club of Lowood Inc. Changeover Dinner
05 July Fernvale Youth Inc. BBQ – Fernvale
06 July Brisbane Valley Heritage Trails Committee Meeting – Kilcoy
09 July Somerset Rail Trail Run Bicycle Event – Fernvale
Kilcoy Toastmasters Annual Changeover of Executive
I was invited to a very interesting Changeover of the Executive of the Kilcoy Toastmasters Club. Mr John Knox informed us about his days of radio and how his career grew over forty-nine years, John also had some historic radio items that he explained the use of. Mr Claude Fullinfaw told us all about growing up in India. Congratulations to the outgoing and the incoming Executive members. I enjoyed the evening very much.
Lions Club of Lowood Changeover Dinner
Another fantastic and fun night at the Lions Club of Lowood Inc. District 43rd Annual Changeover. The three-course dinner was very tasty, with home-made cooking at its best. There were many raffles with very good prizes, I was lucky enough to win two very useful prizes. Once again, the fine jar was circulating, and this year every Councillor was fined for some reason or rather. It is always a pleasure to be part of a formal ceremony of a very strong and supportive club. Congratulations to the outgoing and incoming Directors. It was also heartwarming to be able to assist the fund-raising effort of “Jumpstart Justin’s Journey”.
Fernvale Youth Inc. BBQ – Stumer Park
Approximately seventy children enjoyed the warm Winter’s day at Stumer Park, whereby the Fernvale Youth Inc. organised a free sausage sizzle, free face painting by Wendy and Shayla from Let’s Face it Face Painting, and ball games facilitated by Fernvale Indoor Sports Centre. The children also enjoyed the skate park and just hanging out together. Congratulations to Fernvale Youth Inc. for organising this interesting school holiday event. As Councillor I would like to encourage Fernvale Youth Inc. committee members meet with council staff to discuss a master plan for this important Fernvale facility.
Brisbane Valley Heritage Trails Committee Meeting – Kilcoy
A major outcome and future goal was recognised by the committee and it was agreed that an approach be made to the South Burnett Regional Council to commence the conversation around tourism initiatives and positive collaboration between neighbouring regions.
Somerset Rail Trail Fun Run Bicycle Event – Fernvale
Congratulations to the winners of the Somerset Rail Trail Fun Run, Max Neumann, Brendan Press, Clay Dawson, Tamara Carvolth (Somerset resident), Clare Geraghty and Kate Riethmuller. But more than just that, well done to everyone that pinned on a race number and took part in this fantastic fun event! A total of thirty-five members of the Kilcoy Indoor Sports Centre, Toogoolawah Gym and families ran or walked eight or three kilometers, and all decked out in fluro colours. I have never been a long-distance runner, preferring sprints as a school student, but I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. A big thankyou to those members of the Kilcoy Indoor Sports Centre who willed me over the finishing line, to achieve a personal best. Congratulations to Somerset Regional Council staff for organising a very well run and planned major regional event.
Census 2016
The Census has helped update Australia’s estimated resident population, which has grown to 24.4 million people by December 31, 2016. The Census found that New South Wales remains the most populous state, with 7,480,228 people counted, ahead of Victoria in second (5,926,624 people) and Queensland in third (4,703,193 people). The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) experienced the largest population growth of any state or territory over the past five years, adding more than 40,000 new residents – an increase of 11 per cent. Australians are getting older. The 2016 Census found that there are 664,473 additional people aged 65 and over since 2011. Tasmania is our most experienced state, with nearly one in five people aged 65 and over.
The data also revealed the fastest growing areas in Queensland are outside the capital, a statistic that contrasts with the national trend which shows that two-thirds of Australians live in capital cities which are growing twice as fast as regional areas. The majority of Queenslanders are aged 15 – 64, the average household weekly gross income is $1,402, up from $1,235 in 2011 and 28.5 % of dwellings are owned outright with 34.2% of Queenslanders renting – 3% over the national average.
Survey tracks public attitude to Councils
About 700 Queensland households will be quizzed in detail about their opinions of local government in coming weeks as part of the 2017 LGAQ Community Attitudes Survey. The survey, the 11th since the first 1997 Benchmark Study, is held every two years. It tracks the performance of councils, grouped in broad categories, relative to the value systems of the community. The results of the survey should help councils identify initiatives that will enhance overall performance by closing the gap between the importance of a service or function and the rating of current performance. It also identifies emerging issues and themes and I look forward to learning of the results.
