March 20, 2013
Last year’s popular “Tour de Kumbia” and “Tour de Kingaroy” cycle races will be returning to the South Burnett in June this year.
Mayor Wayne Kratzmann told Wednesday’s monthly council meeting he’d recently had discussions with officials from Cycling Queensland, the organisers of the races.
He said they were keen to return to the South Burnett for a repeat of last year’s racing weekend, and at least 115 cyclists are expected to take part.
The Mayor noted the event provided an economic stimulus for both towns.
The application was lodged by Hotondo Homes on behalf of owners Thomas and Belinda Ledingham.
Councillors were told that because the development fronted onto Haly Street – which is a State-controlled road – the Department Of Transport and Main Roads had included conditions which were required to be attached to any Decision Notice issued by Council.
They were also told the land in question was zoned Residential B under the Kingaroy IPA Planning Scheme, so it was suitable for medium-density dwellings like the one proposed.
But the sole reason the matter had come before a full council meeting rather than being dealt with by Council officers was because a neighbour in an adjoining property had lodged an objection.
Cr Keith Campbell told the meeting the objection related to the need for a fence. But since he understood the owners had agreed to put up a Colorbond fence to address their neighbour’s concern, the objection had now been solved.
Councillors agreed and approved the application unanimously.
Mr Thomson would, however, continue to be involved in organising major events at the Homestead such as the annual Bush Balladeers Muster and “Scots In The Bush”.
The Council will send a letter to Mr Thomson thanking him for his many years of dedication and support for all three groups, which has helped the Boondooma Homestead complex grow into a significant tourist attraction.
Sports and Recreation Portfolio chair Cr Barry Green told Wednesday’s meeting that he and Mayor Wayne Kratzmann had held a meeting last week with representatives from the sporting groups about the dilapidated state of the facility.
The Council will now come up with a model for an all-encompassing Board Of Management to oversee the sportsgrounds.
“If this works well it could be a model we might consider using in Murgon as well,” Cr Green said.
She said because flood recovery money only paid for the repair of specific portions of roads that had suffered damage in the floods, there were many “gaps” in some roads in Divisions 5 and 6 and their quality was very uneven.
She asked SBRC General Manager Infrastructure Russell Hood if there was any plan to fill in these “gaps” to get more even road quality.
Mr Hood said because the Council was in the last quarter of its Budget, “it was a case of prioritising at the moment – we are tackling the worst first”.
Roads Portfolio chair Cr Damien Tessmann told Cr Duff another complicating factor was that Council currently has six separate crews working on flood repairs, but only three working on road maintenance.
And only one of these maintenance crews was working in the western area at the moment.
Cr Duff said ratepayers naturally had expectations because of the Road Levy, and asked if it would be possible for a list of roads not yet done to be generated.
“In some places the ground is so dry that it’s very hard to grade well. And getting water is a bit of a problem, too.”
Cr Tessmann said that recently completed major roadworks projects included:
- Culverts at Wattlecamp, which should effectively flood-proof the Wattle Camp area
- Pine Street in Blackbutt
- Beresford Street in Proston
- Markwell Street in Kingaroy which had been undertaken at night to avoid disruptions to businesses and offices on the street and was now awaiting final sealing
Work on upgrading Moloney’s Bridge at a cost of $1.4 million is due to start soon.
Water and Wastewater chair Cr Barry Green told councillors the final outcome would be known after Council officers complete tests they’re currently running to determine an optimal mix.
“Right at the moment we’re using Boondooma water exclusively and the testing is going very, very well,” Cr Green said.
He was referring to the discovery of traces of trihalomethanes and bromide in Gordonbrook’s water in February, which necessitated swapping over to water sourced from Boondooma Dam and the extensive testing program that followed.
Projects currently underway include:
- Nanango Cultural Centre – stormwater drainage around the building has been replaced; air holes and air flow under the building has been restored; corroded water lines have been upgraded and the floor replacement has been completed. Final sanding and sealing of the floor won’t occur until June because bookings at the Cultural Centre are so heavy this will be the earliest time staff can get in to complete the project.
- Wondai Administration Building and Hall – this capital works project includes washing down and sanding the building’s window ledges and painting the outside of the hall and Council administration office. The project has been quoted and awarded, and work commenced on March 18.
- Durong Hall – painting of the hall is now complete
- Kingaroy Visitor Information Centre – The toilet block at the rear of the Visitor Information Centre has been freshly painted and had its roof replaced.
- Murgon Town Hall – A new bar counter has been installed which includes the existing glass washer.
Cr Campbell noted that much of the work undertaken on the Cultural Centre was not budgeted because damage to the building was much more extensive than first thought.
“We’ve had to wear that,” he said.
General Manager Finance Gary Wall said Council plans to do work on the building’s roof in the coming 2014-15 Budget.
