Cr Cheryl Gaedtke – Ordinary Meeting 26 August 2020

Cr Cheryl Gaedtke – Ordinary Meeting 26 August 2020

Agenda Item # 5 Matters of Public Interest
The Electoral Commission of Queensland is making changes to prevent queues and allow for social distancing for the State Elections to be held in October. It is interesting to note that Queensland voters will be able to start voting from October 19, with about 200 early voting centres to be opened across the state. At the last election around 25% of Queenslanders lodged pre-poll votes and anther 700,000 voters chose to mail their votes, and more than a third didn’t turn up to polling booths on election day.

The NAB has reduced the opening hours of 114 of its smaller branches across Queensland. The Esk branch will be one of those affected and will now only open to customers from 9:30am to 12:30pm. No jobs will be lost as a result.

Agenda Item # Councillors’ Report
August
12 Somerset Regional Council Ordinary Meeting – Esk
12 Somerset Regional Council Confidential Workshop Meeting – Esk
12 Kilcoy State High School P&C Assn monthly meeting
12 Stanley River Rural Fire Brigade Group AGM/monthly meeting – Mt Kilcoy Sandy Creek RFB Shed
17 Invitation to share lunch and tour Brisbane Valley Protein Precinct, Coominya
17 RADF Assessment Meeting – Esk
18 Somerset Seniors Concert Series – Yowie Park, Kilcoy
18 Economic Development & Tourism Committee Meeting – Esk
19 Visit to Mount Glen Rock-Sandy Creek Trail – Esk
19 Traffic Safety Advisory Committee – Esk
19 Special Meeting – Local Economic Recovery Program
20 Road Inspection – Sandy Creek, Kilcoy
20 Meeting local Business Owner – Kilcoy CBD Roadworks
20 Brisbane Valley Kilcoy Landcare Group monthly meeting – Kilcoy
22 Councillors & Council Staff Bicycle Ride – Blackbutt to Linville
24 Kilcoy District Progress Assn Meeting
25 Kilcoy Interagency Meeting

I would like to remind and invite our communities to complete the short survey that offers an opportunity to have a say on arts and culture in our region. The arts and cultural survey is being conducted through our Regional Arts Development Fund partnership and is open until 31 August. Information collected will help provide a framework necessary to support and nurture an environment in which arts and culture in the region can flourish.

I am pleased to report that the park bench which was painted red at Clock Park Lowood in support of the Red Rose Foundation’s Red Bench Initiative to raise awareness of domestic violence has received a great deal of support, so much in fact, other towns are seeking the same consideration. A plaque with the message “Change the Ending: Let’s Stop Domestic Violence” was installed on the red bench.

Many thanks to our staff for organising the Somerset Seniors Concert Series held at Toogoolawah, Kilcoy, Moore and Fernvale. I have witnessed how much work is devoted to these events. Also, a vote of thanks to staff for organising the Blackbutt to Linville BVRT bike ride. A very enjoyable day spent on our very famous BVRT, with great company, a lovely lunch and talented entertainment. Many thanks also to Out There Cycling and the Linville Hotel.