Alan Keates and Michelle Smith
FLASHBACK: Former Wondai Shire CEO Alan Keates OAM and Michelle Smith officially opening two new independent living units at The Laurels in 2013 … another two units have now been approved

April 22, 2016

Two more independent dwelling units will be built at “The Laurels” in Bramston Street, Wondai.

The Laurels is a not-for-profit project run by Wondai & District Independent Living Units for the Aged Inc that provides public housing for the elderly.

It was started 42 years ago after a public meeting was called in Wondai to discuss the lack of public housing for senior citizens in the area, and the project was spear-headed by former Wondai CEO Alan Keates and local businessman Bob Huston.

The Wondai complex currently houses 20 independent living units, and at Wednesday’s Council meeting approval was given to expand this to 22, subject to usual conditions.

The Association’s last expansion was in May 2013, when it opened two new units that were built at a cost of $221,282.31 without any public funding.

* * *

The South Burnett Regional Council has agreed to waive more than $2600 in fees for three not-for-profit community groups who are in the process of extending or upgrading their premises.

At its most recent meeting, Councillors voted to waive a $405 Building Application Fee for the South Burnett Musical Comedy Society, who want to add a shipping container to their existing complex in Cornish Street.

The container will be used to store props and costumes used in the group’s annual musical comedy productions.

Councillors also agreed to waive a $1200 Building Application Fee for the South Burnett Pistol Club, who wish to build a shed at their clubhouse in Redmans Road, Booie to house an indoor pistol range.

And they waived a $972 Plumbing Application fee for the Kumbia Cricket Club, who are in the process of upgrading their existing clubhouse.

The decisions are in line with the Council’s normal policy of not charging fees to community groups who add to the region’s infrastructure, and were passed unanimously.

* * *

A burst water main at the corner of Youngman and Avoca streets on Friday caused a disruption to water supplies in the Kingaroy area.

Council workers repaired the break and water was back on before lunchtime.

* * *

Flood mitigation works are scheduled to begin on Tuesday (April 26) on the corner of Clark & Swendson Road and Kingaroy Barkers Creek Road, Kingaroy.

Works will include excavation, the installation of concrete pipes plus the creation of a concrete floodway and a new bitumen surface.

The work is expected to take about three months, weather permitting.

Clark & Swendson Road will be closed between Kingaroy Barkers Creek Road and Keith Shaw Drive during the project.

A South Burnett Regional Council spokesman said properties owners within the closed area would be given access.

* * *

Council has reminded residents that its partnership with RecyleLinks has created a pathway for the reuse of a range of secondhand goods which would otherwise end up as landfill.

The Recycle Shop, at 15 Kingaroy Street, Kingaroy (on the corner of Cornish Street), sells pre-loved items including furniture, bikes, children’s toys and homewares.

Residents who wish to donate reusable items to RecycleLinks can drop off the items directly at RecycleLinks during operating hours or leave them at the designated drop-off area at the Kingaroy Transfer Station in Luck Road.

The opening hours for RecycleLinks are 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday-Friday and 8:00am to noon on Saturdays.

* * *

A 12 year old application to create a caravan and cabin village at 9 Hodge Street in Wondai has been given a further 12 month extension.

At its most recent meeting, Councillors accepted a recommendation from Council officers the extension be granted on the understanding it will likely be the last extension given to the applicant.

If work on the project isn’t completed by February 23, 2017 the current approval – granted by the former Wondai Shire Council in November 2004 – will lapse and a new Material Change Of Use application will be required.

This would be because there has been a substantial change in Council’s approach to development in the intervening years.


 

2 Responses to "Laurels Set To Expand Again"

  1. That has to be a joke or a out of touch council re the caravan park etc at Wondai.”If work on the project doesn’t begin by February 23, 2017″. Has anyone from council been passed it lately? Is the sign at the entry and the cabins etc a mirage?

  2. Pete, we made an error transcribing our notes; this has now been corrected and the report has been updated. Thank you for alerting us.

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