August 14, 2018
Kathy Duff
Work on upgrading footpaths in Murgon’s CBD will finally get underway this financial year, though completing the entire project is likely to take longer.
South Burnett Deputy Mayor Kathy Duff told the Murgon Business and Development Association’s (MBDA) most recent meeting Council has allocated $260,000 in this year’s Budget for the project.
The footpath issue has lain on the table since 2014 when an urgent $1.1 million upgrade to the Jubilee Swimming Pool forced its deferment.
“The budget has been passed and we have $260,000 to commence work on the footpath near Mitre 10 and to scope the whole footpath,” Cr Duff told the meeting.
“There is an option to consider patching the cracked concrete and redoing the surface rather than pulling up the whole footpath.
“I am looking into tourism funding to see if there is an option to do something innovative that will attract extra funds.”
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Angled parking may be introduced on Lamb Street between the post office and video store to relieve parking congestion in Murgon’s CBD.
The meeting was told Council’s Traffic Advisory Committee has looked at changing existing parallel parking bays, which would be a workable solution to the problem.
However, any change would require community agreement.
Consultations with adjoining businesses and other stakeholders will be undertaken before any changes are made.
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The MBDA’s monthly Murgon Moments community newspaper has had a slight hiccup in its publishing schedule.
The meeting was told the newspaper’s former printer wound up their business at short notice on June 30, and locating a new printer had caused a slight delay.
The popular publication – which will be celebrating its 12th birthday in October – will reappear in its usual format shortly.
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The issue of insuring and replacing cameras used by Murgon’s CCTV system is being examined by the MBDA.
The meeting heard the group are currently exploring funding options to ensure the system’s ongoing operation.
At present, damaged CCTV cameras cannot be repaired and the MBDA doesn’t have the funds to purchase new ones.
The system’s installer has been asked to provide a report on the current state of the CCTV system, which came into operation last October, and the community are being asked to report any faults they might notice.
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Murgon will be hosting a senior police inspector and two CIB detectives over the next three months to help tackle crime in the district, along with senior plain clothes officers.
As well, four second-year constables have recently taken up permanent positions at Murgon police station.
The MBDA’s meeting was addressed by the new inspector, who explained he was in the town to co-ordinate police resources and meet with Government departments and other stakeholders to see what crime prevention strategies were working well.
The inspector acknowledged the great work already being conducted by local police officers and said a lot of work is currently being carried out behind the scenes.
This included working with the families of youth offenders.
He also spoke about problems fuelled by the drug, ice.
Australia has to most drug users per capita in the Western World, he said, which is a major issue from a law and order perspective.
Prevention strategies are in place, but the community needs to play its part in reporting drug behaviours to the police.
If they wish to remain anonymous, they can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333-000.
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A plan to upgrade signage along Barambah Road to advertise Moffatdale’s wineries and the Yallakool Tourist Park has drawn to a halt.
The meeting heard the cost of upgrading the signs had proved prohibitive for local businesses to fund independently.
The MBDA will now explore funding options to see if the overall cost per business can be reduced.
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Murgon State High School is asking local businesses to refuse service to high school age children between 9:00am and 3:00pm on school days, and report them to the school instead.
Murgon State High’s acting principal said if the school was informed of truants, it would send a staff member downtown to encourage the student to return to school.
The high school has also requested a review of its current operations to ensure it is providing a safe environment for learning.
Three representatives from Queensland Education are currently undertaking the review, and the school is hopeful it can make some positive announcements in the near future.
The high school is also encouraging local police to visit and introduce themselves to the students to help break down barriers and encourage positive reactions between local youth and the police.
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Plans are well underway for the inaugural Murgon Rail Trail Festival, which will be held on the last Sunday in September.
The event will feature a wide range of family-friendly activities, along with marathons for athletes.
The festival will also be hosting an inflatable obstacle course spread over three football fields that will be the largest ever seen in the region.
It will feature eight obstacles in total, and competitors will have 60 minutes to complete the course.
Other planned activities will include a go kart competition, pig races, an animal farm, a jumping castle, live entertainment and food, wine and market stalls.
The festival itself is free, with entry charges to take part in specific events.
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The Murgon Business and Development Association represents the businesses and community of Murgon and surrounding districts.
The group holds regular monthly meetings and new members are always welcome.
The MBDA’s next breakfast meeting will be at Murgon’s Royal Hotel on Thursday, August 16, and to help plan the catering an RSVP by 3:00pm on August 15 would be appreciated.
Breakfast is $15 and coffee an extra $4.
More details about MBDA membership and meetings can be obtained by contacting MBDA secretary Margaret Long at Murgon Real Estate on (07) 4168-2922 or 0413-488-418.
