December 16, 2015
by Deb Frecklington
As 2015 draws to a close, I would like to wish you and your family a wonderful festive season and best wishes for the New Year.
I would also like to sincerely thank southburnett.com.au for offering me the opportunity to write my “Deb’s Diary” column throughout 2015, it is very much appreciated.
My goal as your Local State Member is always to achieve the best outcomes for our community.
As I have travelled across the Nanango Electorate this year, it has been terrific to meet so many people and help address their concerns and enquiries.
Here are just a few of the major issues I’ve been fighting for over the past 12 months:
- A review of Wivenhoe Dam water releases: lobbying of the Government saw a review of the May 2015 water releases which caused major damage to downstream farming infrastructure. The report is vindication for the landholders who have been calling for better warning communication
- A new Kingaroy Public Hospital: we need a funding commitment for a brand new public hospital for the South Burnett. This issue continues to be my number one goal for the region
- Better emergency services communications in the Goombungee area: I’m pushing to have regional areas like Goombungee, Maclagan and Kulpi included in the rollout of new emergency services communications technology
- Answers for primary producers along the Tick Line: tick control and eradication is a major issue for producers along the line and they deserve the best chance to have their say on new regulations and the location of the line
- Keeping Kilcoy and Crows Nest Kindys open: access to quality early childhood services is essential for our small communities and I will continue to do all I can to support families striving to keep these services open, and…
- Access to better mental health care: I am continuing to fight for a South Burnett Clubhouse, a model of mental health care which is desperately needed in the South Burnett.
You can always find out more on my website or follow me on Facebook.
I wish you safe travels over the Christmas holidays and a productive and prosperous 2016, and I look forward to starting up my Deb’s Diary column again in the New Year.
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Christmas Winners Announced!
It’s been terrific to acknowledge the hard work of our community groups through my special Christmas Giveaway competition.
There were fifteen $100 fuel vouchers up for grabs and we were overwhelmed by entries, with 139 groups entering the draw.
Congratulations to the following winners!
- Kingaroy Girl Guides
- Kumbia Progress Association
- Kingaroy Golf Club
- Timbertowns Woodworking Group
- Wooroolin Community Committee
- Wattlecamp Rural Fire Brigade
- Linville State School P&C
- Kilcoy Cancer Support Group
- Mt Kilcoy SS P&C
- Atkinson Buaraba Landcare Group
- Brisbane Valley Pony Club
- Goombungee-Haden Show Society
- Crows Nest Pony Club
- Cabarlah Pony Club
- Range Runners Orienteering Group
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A Turbulent Time For Country Racing
Queensland’s Racing Industry is under threat as the Labor Government continues to ignore industry pleas about the current state of racing in Queensland.
I was pleased to attend a major industry rally at Doomben Race Club just before Christmas and in particular, support the country racing sector, which is such a valuable and important part of our regional communities.
The LNP Opposition have also held two urgent roundtables for key stakeholders, with discussions centering around Labor’s announcement to severely cut funding and prizemoney.
Labor have announced they will cut funding for the Showcase, Celebrate and Sustain Country Race Series.
Even worse, clubs that race between four to seven times a year will be reduced to three meetings each.
In our area, the cuts will directly affect two race clubs in the South Burnett, the Nanango Race Club and Kumbia Race Club, who will both potentially lose race days and prizemoney.
The Nanango Race Club, which holds six major meetings each year, could lose three of their race meetings per year.
At Kumbia, it appears they may go back to just a single race day per year, as they will lose their Sustain Race Day.
I want to assure our local Race Clubs and everyone involved in racing that unlike Labor, the LNP will stand side by side with Queensland’s racing industry as they fight to be heard.
[Photos: Nanango Electorate Office]
