Kathy Duff
Fishing competitions at the region’s two dams gave bookings at Council’s lakeside tourist parks a substantial lift last month.
Deputy Mayor Kathy Duff told November’s Council meeting bookings at Lake Boondooma in October were 60 per cent higher than a year ago.
She said 47 teams – and more than 250 people – took part in this year’s Golden Lure fishing competition, providing a substantial boost to accommodation bookings and kiosk takings.
The return of the BP Dam Fish Stocking Association’s Inland Fishing Classic after an absence of five years also proved a winner for Yallakool Tourist Park.
October bookings were 24 per cent higher than for the same period last year.
The Fish Stocking Association received 270 nominations for the October 6-7 weekend event.
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The Coolabunia Saleyards suffered substantial damage in October’s storm, Cr Duff said.
The Saleyards’ office was extensively damaged after a large tree fell across the eastern side of the building, and many trees in the compound were stripped and their debris scattered across the site.
Underground power mains between the switch board and Ergon’s supply pole were destroyed by a lightning strike, along with a pump and some floodlights.
Council staff and contractors restored the saleyards to a usable state as quickly as possible, and the first post-storm sale was held recently.
However, further work will need to be carried out to fully restore the complex.
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A section of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail between Blackbutt and Moore controlled by the South Burnett Regional Council will be getting a maintenance upgrade shortly.
Cr Duff said Blackbutt Sand and Gravel have been awarded a $50,000 contract to undertake the project, and work would begin soon.
Funding for the upgrade was provided by the Department of Transport and Main Roads under its existing arrangement with the BVRT Ambassadors.
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Kingaroy Airport will be getting its annual inspection this month, and a small facelift into the bargain.
Cr Duff said the roof of the airport’s WW2 hanger would be replaced using Works For Queensland funding from the State Government.
Work on the project was scheduled to start on November 19.
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BlazeAid volunteers had been a tremendous help to farmers affected by the October storm, and deserved a huge thank you, Cr Duff said.
During their time in the area, BlazeAid volunteers had worked on 53 properties, clearing 45km of fences and 82 acres of land, as well as repairing 41km of fencing.
All up, they had supplied 503 days of volunteer labour to assist recovery efforts.
In return, 14 teams of caterers fed the workers, providing 589 meals along with a thank you dinner at the Kingaroy Machinery Club’s shed attended by 110 people. BlazeAid volunteers were presented with South Burnett hampers and affected farmers received $100 Aldi vouchers provided by a local church group.
The next step will be a Recovery Barbecue Lunch at Coolabunia State School on November 25, where affected farmers can enjoy a free lunch and access information about disaster prevention and recovery assistance.
