South Burnett Regional Council On the 15 March 2008, Kingaroy Shire Council amalgamated with Wondai, Murgon and Nanango Shire Councils to form the new South Burnett Regional Council. Throughout the transition process, the South Burnett Regional Council is committed to maintaining the current level of services provided to our residents and ratepayers. We encourage all residents and ratepayers to continue visiting your local Council office for enquiries on council services and facilities, paying bills and lodging applications, just as you do now. All current local laws, policies, fees and charges of the four former authorities will continue to apply within the former Council areas. These will be reviewed by the new Council at a later date. This website will continue to operate, with local area information together with details of the transition process and South Burnett Regional Council information. Other information can also be obtained from South Burnett Regional Council's LTC website and the former websites of Nanango, Murgon and Wondai Shire Councils. A new South Burnett Regional Council website is being developed to incorporate the new region. We thank you for your patience during this process. For any further information please don't hesistate to call South Burnett Regional Council. Our current telephone directory is available in PDF format by clicking here.

South Burnett Upcoming Events For May 2008 Come along and enjoy the variety of events in the South Burnett during the month of May. All May - Wondai Art Gallery new Exhibition, gallery hours are 10:00 am till 4:00 pm. Contact Wondai Art Gallery (07) 4168 5926. All May - Art Exhibition at Kingaroy Information Art & Heritage Precinct. Dell Stevenson Wildlife artist from Blackbutt Gallery B & C Mark Ladyman Book launch. Contact Paul Van Vegchel (07) 4162 6273. 10 May - The 86th Annual Burrandowan Picnic Races held at Burrandowan Race Track. Contact the Kingaroy Visitor Information Centre on (07) 4162 6272 or visit www.burrandowan.com.au. 11 May - Relax at the Ridge on Mothers Day in the peace and tranquillity of Sunny Ridge Gardens, Couchmans Road, Kingaroy. There is a $10 cover charge which includes live entertainment. Contact Kathy (07) 4162 7090. 11 May - Discover Robin Dods Day Trip, a part of the Ringsfield House Centenary Events for 2008 in Nanango. Contact Ringsfield House (07) 4163 3345. 17 May - Blackbutt Annual Agriculture Show. Contact Bev Pascoe (07) 4163 0090. 17 May - Murgon Dairy Museum 'Kid Kapers' all day event at the Murgon Dairy and Heritage Museum especially for kids. Contact Cynthia Hatchett (07) 4168 1178. 24 May - Nanango Cup Race Meeting at Lee Park. 25 May - Goomeri Pumpkin Festival begins with a dinner dance on Saturday 24 May followed by street festivities early Sunday morning including market stalls, entertainment, novelty pumpkin events, fashion parade and much much more! At 2:00 pm the famous Great Australian Pumpkin Roll will take place from the top of policemans hill. Contact Geof Stumm (07) 4168 1925 or visit www.goomeri.org.au/pumpkinfest. 25 May - Moffatdale Ridge Tuscan Feast, enjoy a traditional three course Tuscan Lunch on the Verandahs of Moffatdale Ridge near Murgon. Cost is $27.50 which includes live entertainment by Tom McCahan. Contact Sue and Jason Kinsella (07) 4168 4797. 25 May - Bunya Country Music Afternoon Contact Shirley (07) 4162 5676.

Former Australian Olympic Swimmer & Personality LISA FORREST is visiting the South Burnett! Lisa Forrest represented Australia in the swimming pool from 1978 to 1982 and on retirement moved into the media where she has worked as a broadcaster, TV host, actress and author. Her titles include “Making the most it” – a story based on her own experiences as a teenage swimmer representing Australia; “Meg Banana” – a delightful story for junior and beginner readers; “DJ Max" – a story about her passion for dancing as a way to keep fit once she retired from swimming. This is your chance to meet Lisa and get her autograph, on your copy of her latest book "Boycott": Australia's Controversial Road to the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Bookcity Kingaroy will have copies of Lisa’s book for sale at each venue. Her tour begins in Nanango on Monday 19 May at 5:00 pm, Nanango Cultural Centre with a complimentary glass of wine. Her tour continues in Kingaroy on Tuesday 20 May at 11:00 am, Bell Tower Restaurant, Cnr Shellbachs and Haydens Road, Kingaroy. There will be complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits. Guests are encouraged to stay for lunch looking over the Booie Valley. Bookings are essential! Please contact South Burnett Regional Library on 4171 6807. These events are proudly sponsored by the South Burnett Regional Council, Queensland Government, Courier Mail Big Book Club and Bell Tower Restaurant.

Gordonbrook Dam Recreation Area Users of Gordonbrook Dam Recreation Area are notified that the dam is closed to the public until further notice due to the fluctuating presence of high levels of blue green algae. This includes access to the Gordonbrook Dam Reserve via private property adjacent to this area. The picnic area is still open to the public. It has tables and composting toilets but no barbecues. Use of the dam is to be conducted in accordance with the following conditions: Boat fishing is not permitted. The boat ramp is closed. Fishing is confined to bank areas and only with a relevant Permit from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (Phone 13 25 23). Access onto the dam is not permitted for activities such as water skiing, canoeing, boating etc Access to Gordonbrook Dam Recreation Area can be gained by turning into Recreation Drive on the northern side of Memerambi. Part of the access road is gravel. An "Activities on Parks and Reserves" form needs to be completed for group users of the park/ reserve area and/or in the event of a special event. The Activities on Parks and Reserves form can be downloaded here, completed and then emailed or faxed (fax: 07 4162 4806) back to Council. The cooperation of the public is sought in observing these conditions. Please contact the Infrastructure Services Department of Council on 4162 6240 for further enquiries.

South Burnett Regional Council Election Results The results from the election that took place on 15 March for South Burnett Regional Council were declared on 28 March 2008. The following candidates have been elected: Mayor - David Carter Division 1 - Barry Green Division 2 - Debra Palmer Division 3 - Damien Tessmann Division 4 - Keith Campbell Division 5 - Kathryn (Kathy) Duff Division 6 - Cheryl Dalton For more information please refer to the Election Commission Queensland website by clicking here.

South Burnett Regional Council Notice of Meeting Dates In accordance with Section 464(1) of the Local Government Act, notice is hereby given that the ordinary General Meeting of the South Burnett Regional Council will be held on a rotational basis for the months of April, May and June 2008. The meeting dates are listed below: Wednesday 9 April at Kingaroy Council Chambers, Glendon Street from 9:00am Wednesday 23 April at Murgon Council Chambers, 42 Stephens Street West from 9:00 am Tuesday 13 May at Nanango Council Chambers, 48 Drayton Street from 9:00 am Wednesday 28 Mayat Wondai Council Chambers, Mackenzie Street from 9:00 am Wednesday 11 June at Kingaroy Council Chambers, Glendon Street from 9:00 am Wednesday 25 June at Murgon Council Chambers, 42 Stephens Street West from 9:00 am A decision beyond June will be made prior to the completion of the meeting in June 2008. Any alteration to the above days or times will be advised by public notice.

Livestock On Roadsides And Stock Routes Council would like to advise that a Stock Route Agistment Permit is required to agist stock on relevant land and is a requirement under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002. Relevant Land includes a stock route; a reserve for travelling stock; and a road under Council’s control. A person can apply for a permit if they are a landowner whose land is adversely affected by drought, flood or fire. Permits can be issued for a maximum of 28 days. Agistment fees apply. You can download a Stock Route Agistment Permit Application here to be completed and returned to Council. If you have any queries please contact the Environment, Health & Community Services Department on phone (07) 4162 6257 or email us.

Employment Assistance Program Are you having trouble getting work? Do you need assistance accessing training? Do you need help with building your resume or improving your interview skills??? BIEDO (Burnett Inland Economic Development Organisation) have been funded by the Queensland Government’s Skilling Queenslanders to Work Initiatives to implement two projects “Making it Happen” and “Moving On – The Final Step”. These programs are available to individuals who reside in the Burnett Inland and who are experiencing difficulty gaining employment. This 12 month program offers assistance through a combination of accredited training, work experience, mentoring, and personal development training to identify and overcome individual barriers to employment. More information can be obtained by contacting Belinda Morrison– Regional Program Coordinator on (07) 4169 7851 or email her. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity!

Why not become a Volunteer!! If you are looking to volunteer in a fun and social environment – contact the Kingaroy Information, Art and Heritage Precinct on (07) 4162 6272 or email us. The Precinct is open seven (7) days a week and incorporates the Kingaroy Visitor Information Centre, the Kingaroy Heritage Museum and the Kingaroy Art Gallery.

Home WaterWise Rebate Scheme The State Government has recently announced that they'll be operating a second stage of their Home WaterWise Rebate Scheme. The new stage offers all Queensland householders cash rebates for a number of water-saving devices purchased between 16th August 2006 and 30th June 2009. Rebateable items include shower heads, rainwater tanks, dual-flush toilet systems, water-efficient clothes washers, swimming pool covers/rollers and grey water systems. The Department of Natural Resources and Water’s website offers a number of fact sheets designed to inform householders of the conditions and eligibility for claims the rebate. The DNR’s Home WaterWise.section can be viewed by clicking here. Residents should note that that these rebates are offered by the State Government, so application forms should be sent to the Home WaterWise Rebate Scheme office in Brisbane. Council nonetheless encourages all householders to take advantage of this scheme, which will help conserve our Shire's valuable water resources in the future.

1913 Council Chambers Building The 1913 Council Chambers Building, located in Edward Street Kingaroy, has been renovated and is available for meetings, workshops and seminars. The building is available at a small hire cost per day (no hire cost for not for profit community groups). If you would like to book the building or get more information please contact the Kingaroy Information Art and Heritage Precinct on phone (07) 4162 6272 or email us.

Wooroolin Wetland Groundsel Treatment Program Kingaroy Shire Council has commenced Groundsel treatment within the Wooroolin Wetland. No fires are permitted within this area, as it will impact on the treatment of plants. Wooroolin Community Committee in partnership with Kingaroy Shire Council has submitted a funding application to access funds to support a large Groundsel control program in Wooroolin Wetland.

"Cartridges 4 Planet Ark" Planet Ark has set up 'Cartridges 4 Planet Ark' and the Kingaroy Shire Council has decided to support this worthwhile program. It has been estimated that over 80% of our used cartridges are going directly to landfill. Australians throw away more than 18 million printer cartridges every year. All cartridges collected will be remanufactured or recycled, regardless of their brand, age, make or model. So now you can drop off your used or empty laser and inkjet cartridges into the special Planet Ark recycling boxes provided at the Council Office in Glendon Street or the Visitor Information Centre in Haly Street, Kingaroy. Any type of toner or ink cartridge from a fax, photocopier or printer will be accepted in the drop off bins. For more information about how the cartridges are remanufactured or recycled visit www.planetark.com.au/cartridges. So “Don’t throw them away, throw them Planet Ark's way!”

Mapping The Future Development Of Our Shire To help ensure that Kingaroy Shire is developed in an ecologically sustainable way, Kingaroy Shire Council has adopted the 2006 IPA Planning Scheme in accordance with the Integrated Planning Act 1997. The Planning Scheme balances protection of the environment, economic development and community well-being. The Scheme governs the way that all new developments are assessed in Kingaroy Shire now and into the future. A copy of the scheme on CD-ROM is available for $20 from Council. The Planning Scheme is now also available to download in PDF format from our web site at no charge. Please contact Council’s Planning and Development Services on 07 4162 6212 for enquiries or send us an email.

Desexing Vouchers Are you the keeper of an entire dog registered with Council? Do you wish to have your dog desexed? Council is again offering vouchers for the desexing of registered dogs. The voucher entitles dog owners to a discount for female or male dogs. They are redeemable at all Kingaroy veterinary surgeons and may be presented in conjunction with other promotional discounts (for example, ‘Shopper-Dockets’ and ‘National Desexing Month’ campaigns). Vouchers will be sent to dog owners that tick the appropriate box on the dog registration renewal form. Alternatively a voucher can be granted via counter, telephone or email request, provided that the dog is currently registered. For a full list of conditions of use click here, or contact Council’s Department of Environment, Health and Community Services on (07) 4162 6249 or email us

Round ’Em Up and Hand ’Em In! Disused Mobile Telephones The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association’s Mobile Muster and Council have teamed up to offer members of the community the opportunity to recycle their disused mobile telephones. The aim of the partnership is to divert disused mobile telephones away from entering landfill. Mobile phones contain plastic and a range of precious metals, which can be recovered and used in the manufacture of products such as stainless steel, batteries and jewellery. Council encourages all residents to “round ’em up and hand ’em in”. You can drop off your old mobile phones to the Council Office in Glendon Street or the Visitor Information Centre in Haly Street, as well as at most mobile phone retailers.

Level 2 Water Restrictions Now In Force Consumers of the Kingaroy and Wooroolin Water Supplies are notified that, following a further review of conditions, Level 2 Water Restrictions now apply. This took effect from Tuesday 18 March 2008 and remains in force until further notice. Level 7 restrictions remain in force at Kumbia and this includes a total ban on all outside watering. Conditions: During the hours shown on the days listed in the All-Seasons Watering Chart: One (1) garden sprinkler or one (1) soaker hose may be used. Micro-irrigation systems may be used. Hand-held hosing is permitted. The filling of swimming pools is permitted. The use of travelling irrigators is banned. All Seasons Watering Chart Watering Days Street Number Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun Odd Even or Unnumbered Watering Times Residential 6:00am to 8:00am and 5:00pm to 7:00pm Others 8:00am to 10:00am and 3:00pm to 5:00pm The co-operation of consumers is sought in observing these restrictions. Please contact South Burnett Regional Council, Kingaroy Office on (07) 4162 6244 for further enquiries.