April 20, 2016
A new water pipe to supply the Maidenwell sports grounds, the town’s caravan dump point and Maidenwell’s public toilets with bore water could save ratepayers as much as $10,000 a year.
Planning and Property portfolio chair Cr Terry Fleischfresser told Wednesday’s SBRC meeting the recently completed project, which uses solar power to pump water from a bore to the town centre, had been “challenging”.
It involved surmounting large boulders, cable weaving along Telstra’s easement, dealing with private driveways and crossing local streets as well as the Kingaroy Cooyar Road, which is under Main Roads control.
But the benefits would be widespread.
In addition to providing water for the sports grounds, the dump point and the public toilets, the new pipe would also provide an alternative water supply for Maidenwell’s Rural Bush Fire Brigade in an emergency.
And supplying the water from a bore could save the Council – and thus, ratepayers – about $10,000 a year.
The new water infrastructure is part of a larger project which has been supported and partly funded by Stanwell Corporation, the Maidenwell Community Group and local businesses as well as Council, Cr Fleischfresser said.
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The SBRC has demolished the old Nanango SES shed in George Street, Nanango.
The site will now be maintained as an open space since it is very close to Sandy Creek.
However, Nanango SES will continue to operate from their existing office until further funding can be found to build a new office next to their new shed in Grey Street.
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A draft Heritage Register listing all the South Burnett’s sites of historic interest was finalised in late December.
Council now plan to begin public consultations within the next two weeks.
Private land owners should receive a letter confirming the proposed listing of their property, along with details about how to meet with Council to discuss the listing and make a submission, if required.
The public consultation process will last 60 days, after which all submissions will be considered prior to the adoption of the Register by Council.
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Council officers are currently inspecting all the SBRC’s rental properties.
The purpose of the inspections is to provide an up-to-date maintenance schedule for 2016-17.
This will also assist preparation of next year’s Budget.
The Council is also continuing to dispose of vacant land, with a further four properties currently under contract.
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The South Burnett Aquatic Centre in Nanango will be running a “Get Out And Get Active” program during the winter months.
The program targets inactive women and girls.
During the summer months it encouraged them to take up either swimming or a water exercise program at one of the region’s six public pools.
Over 300 lessons in adult learn to swim, stroke correction, water aerobics, water walking or deep water running were attended by local participants.
The Aquatic Centre is heated, so it will continue running the programs until September when State Government funding runs out.
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The SBRC submitted its draft Planning Scheme to the State Government in December 2015, and is still waiting for Ministerial approval of it.
Once this is received, the Council will begin a three month public consultation process.
This will include notices in local media, displays at the region’s libraries, presentations to focus groups and one-on-one meetings with individuals.
The new Planning Scheme will replace the four old Shire Planning Schemes (for Murgon, Wondai, Kingaroy and Nanango) that have remained in place since the 2008 amalgamation.
