August 27, 2013
Fears that Stanwell employees whose jobs disappeared in the recent structuring at Tarong would be leaving the area were wrong, Kingaroy businesspeople were told on Monday night.
Speaking at the Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s August Meet’n’Greet, Tarong Power Station site manager Dennis Franklin said as far as he was aware, most employees who had elected to take a redundancy in the latest round intended to retire or remain in the region.
He said he hoped this would help reduce some of the negative impacts of the current situation.
Mr Franklin also reported that the power station’s operating units were currently running at 80-90 per cent capacity so he was hopeful the station’s two mothballed units could become fully operational again in the foreseeable future when market conditions improved.
He said Meandu Mine was operating very well and the company was currently rebuilding its coal stockpiles.
Mr Franklin said it was also possible there would be a mini-overhaul of one of the power generating units in late October and if this occurred, it would provide a boost to the region’s economy.
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The KCCI Meet’n’Greet was held at Kingaroy RSL.
About 40 local businesspeople gathered to listen to guest speakers, network and socialise. Other topics covered included:
- Kingaroy RSL secretary-manager Maxine Tessmann said the club had retired 20 pokers machines to make more room for dining space. She also announced plans to upgrade the club’s much bigger Tobruk Room in the near future to introduce more options for people booking weddings, private and business functions.
- Carmel Summers, from the Burnett Inland Economic Development Organisation, gave a short talk about a new small business financial counselling service that BIEDO will be operating in the South Burnett, North Burnett and Banana shires over the next two years. Ms Summers is a qualified CPA, registered Tax Agent and Justice of the Peace, and will be offering business and financial counselling services to small businesses and farmers at no charge.
- Chrys McDuffie, from Downer EDI, has joined the KCCI Executive.
South Burnett Deputy Mayor Keith Campbell also provided an update on Council news:
- Council welcomed feedback on an idea to move the annual Ekka holiday from a Monday to some other day
- The rehabilitation of the former council depot vacant land in Pound Street is close to finishing
- A recent Council survey on introducing recycling had generated a huge response but most people don’t want to have a recycling service if there’s a cost attached
- Parks in Kingaroy and Murgon have been upgraded recently
- Rate arrears are up a bit on last year
- Pound Street repairs will happen within the current Budget period
The next KCCI function will be an informal end-of-month drinks get-together for members which will be held at the Carrollee Hotel on Friday, August 30, between 4:30pm and 6:30pm.
The next KCCI Meet’n’Greet will be held at Swickers Kingaroy Bacon Factory on Monday, September 30 ($10 admission).
