May 18, 2016
Congratulations to Cliff Seiler and the Kingaroy Show Society for another great Kingaroy Show.
Last year’s unexpected rain put a bit of a spanner in the works, but this year everything was back to normal and the grounds were packed.
Agricultural shows play a very important role in our region.
So it’s encouraging to see that after 109 years, the Kingaroy Show continues to draw bumper crowds and big displays.
I really enjoyed meeting so many of the competitors, and seeing the kids and adults having so much fun on all the rides.
It was also amazing to see all the wonderful local produce – and I really must pass on special congratulations to the grower of the Grand Champion bananas.
It’s always good to see our region giving our northern neighbours a run for their money!
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New LNP Women’s Group
If you’ve ever wanted to be more involved in politics, or just want to know more about what’s happening in our region, there is a brand new “LNP Women” branch right here in the South Burnett.
The LNP Women Barambah Branch held their first function near my office in Kingaroy this month, and it was a great way for like minded women to catch-up, relax, enjoy good company, and talk about local issues.
The organisers are locals – Anitta Stallwood and Margie Lee-Madigan – and if you are interested, my office can put you in touch with them.
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Wonderful To ‘Walk with Lynda’
I was honoured to be part of the ‘Walk with Lynda’ fundraising and awareness campaign on Sunday, May 15.
The South Burnett put on a beautiful autumn afternoon to welcome Brett and Trevor Otto and their team as they completed their 500km trek from Gladstone to Kingaroy.
I’d like to thank Brett for inviting me to join the Otto and Geiger families on the final six kilometre leg of their walk from Crawford to Kingaroy.
They have helped put a real focus on raising awareness about melanoma for the Melanoma Awareness Foundation.
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Concerned Farmers Gather For Veg Forums
Thank you to all those who attended the recent Vegetation Management Forums in Toogoolawah and Kingaroy.
Nearly 150 people came along to hear how the Labor Government’s proposed changes to the Vegetation Management Act may impact their businesses.
It was great to have Shadow Minister for Natural Resources Andrew Cripps at both forums to explain the new restrictions, and what we can do to have our voices heard by the State Government.
I’ve organised an online petition to oppose the Government’s planned changes and if you are as concerned about them as I am, you can add your name to it by clicking here.
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South Burnett Removed From Drought List
On May 11 the State Government announced the South Burnett Regional Council area is no longer drought declared, based on the advice of the Local Drought Committee.
It was noted that the South Burnett has had some good rain and sufficient water supplies to warrant being revoked, but there are still some dry areas.
If you live in the South Burnett and believe your property is still dry, you can apply for an Individually Droughted Property Declaration (IDP) to continue to access Queensland Government in-drought assistance.
Now now that the region is no longer drought declared, primary producers have become eligible to receive restocking and returning from agistment freight subsidy assistance through the Drought Relief Assistance Scheme (DRAS) for up to two years.
If you have any questions, please contact DAF Climate Risk Coordinator Damien O’Sullivan in Kingaroy on (07) 4160-0700.
Queensland’s total drought-declared area now stands at 83.9%, down slightly from the record high of 86.11%.
Updated maps of drought declared areas can be found at longpaddock.qld.gov.au.
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Taking On A New Role
Finally, thank you so much to everyone who sent through messages of support and congratulations as I moved into my new role with the LNP Opposition as the Deputy Opposition Leader.
I was very proud to be elected to this position on May 6, and to also take on the important portfolios of Infrastructure, State Development, and Trade and Investment.
I’d also like to pay tribute to Lawrence Springborg and John-Paul Langbroek for their strong leadership during a critical time for the LNP.
My new role will be a perfect fit with my job as Member for Nanango, because getting Queensland moving and delivering more investment for our regions will be my main focus.
I am also particularly excited about my role in Trade and Investment, helping to grow the enormous potential of our agricultural sector.
We now have the new Wellcamp Airport near Toowoomba, which can get our local fresh produce exported to Asian markets quickly.
It is an exciting time to be an exporter, and I believe we should be leveraging off of the good work of our Federal Coalition Government and capitalising on new free-trade agreements to better promote our home-grown products to the rest of the world.
[Photos: Nanango Electorate Office and southburnett.com.au]
