View News

 

COMMUNITY GARDENS – Council recently endorsed the Draft Community Gardens Policy and Draft Community Gardens Guidelines which will give a clear framework in which to operate and make decisions about the establishment and management of community gardens.

It clearly outlines council’s commitment to managing community garden enquiries through an “Enquiry Management Framework” and provides guidance towards appropriate site selection through the “Community Garden Site Selection Criteria”.

This means that residents will soon have the support needed to plan and establish places where people can come together to grow fresh food, meet like minded people and know that they are contributing to their community. I think this is a great concept particularly with the number of natural disasters and the rising costs of food it makes community gardens the way to go. If you would like more information, please contact Council’s Customer Service Centre on 5475 7272. 

MARY CAIRNCROSS SCENIC RESERVE - Within two days of sustaining considerable flood damage, the walking tracks at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve were repaired by Council’s Natural Areas Team and re-opened to the public.

Carpark - Plans for the new car park at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve have been approved by the management committee at the reserve with construction expected to be complete by July 2011. This is a much awaited upgrade. The building facility group will also loot at the opportunity to construct a shelter shed to cater for school groups etc. 

Visitor Monitoring Sensor – the new visitor monitoring sensor which has been operational since late last year has recorded a total of 21,000 counts between Nov and Jan. I would like to thank the volunteers who tirelessly give of their time to showcase our wonderful natural attributes and to assist visitors. 

PATHWAY UPDATE - McCarthy Road, Maleny - While wet weather prolonged the extension of the culverts on McCarthy Road, works to extend this recreational concrete pathway along McCarthy Road toward Mountain View Road have progressed well. 

HELPING NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANSIONS MAINTAIN SPORTING FIELDS - Council has just adopted a new three year Sports Field Maintenance Funding Program which will contribute towards helping not-for-profit organisations throughout the region maintain sporting fields commencing 2011/2012.   

Under the program, 70% of maintenance costs will be provided by council to the successful eligible sporting organisations to help maintain them meet district competition standards. The program was developed to provide support to these groups, particularly the smaller mum and dad and volunteer operations, which have been struggling to raise the money needed to maintain the fields. 

I have strongly lobbied council for years for equitable access for funding to assist our local sports and community groups in their endeavours to maintain their grounds, so I am delighted to announce this program. A comprehensive awareness raising campaign will start soon to ensure sporting organisations understand the program and application process. 

CROSSING NEW PATHS FOR WILDLIFE WELFARE - Mary Cairncross Reserve. I am please to announce a new wildlife crossing has been constructed under Mountain View Road. The underground passage now provides a safe link for local fauna between the Mary Cairncross Reserve and nearby state forest. The new crossing was part of a $572,000 Federal Government grant for infrastructure projects on the Sunshine Coast and this is one of a number of fauna crossings that council has constructed in the regional to aid the welfare and sustainability of many species of local wildlife.

The passage is a concrete culvert with soil base that can be used by lizards; pademelons (wallabies); snakes; echidnas; bandicoots, possums and a variety of other mammals. Secure green diamond mesh fencing has also been constructed on both sides of the road to direct fauna traffic in and away from the passage and further native plantings have been established around the tunnel to provide cover protection. 

SIPPY CREEK ROAD COMMUNITY MEETING - Last week I met with Andrew Powell MP, Council Officers and local residents to discuss their concerns in relation to flooding and the resulting condition of Sippy Creek Road, Tanawha.

From that meeting the following actions will be taken:

• Sippy Creek debris removal decision/permit to be reviewed 
• Bruce High Way culvert inlet cleaned out (west side) - Main Roads are to complete works when crews are available 
• Bruce High Way (east side) - Main Roads will be requested to undertake work at the outlet  
• Residents private culverts and bridges to be reviewed for suitability 
• Council will investigate a possible western access route to Sippy Creek Road  for a rural fire and emergency exit

Andrew and myself will arrange a letter drop to residents within the next month to keep all residents updated on outcomes.