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Sunshine Coast Local News

Maleny STP wetlands the focus of new environmental study

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Unitywater Executive Manager Infrastructure Planning & Capital Delivery Simon Taylor with USC research Professor Thomas Schlacher and USC Lecturer in Animal Ecology Dr Andrew Olds.

Unitywater Executive Manager Infrastructure Planning & Capital Delivery Simon Taylor with USC research Professor Thomas Schlacher and USC Lecturer in Animal Ecology Dr Andrew Olds.

A four-year research project has been launched to understand the types of wildlife that have been attracted to the rehabilitated wetlands at the Maleny Sewage Treatment Plant (STP).

The project will look for and then monitor all the species that return to the area, including those that are endangered.

Unitywater and the University of the Sunshine Coast have joined forces to conduct a comprehensive study which will include ecological and animal surveys focusing on frogs, birds, bats and small mammals.

Unitywater’s Executive Manager Infrastructure Planning & Capital Delivery Simon Taylor said the project follows the $17 million upgrade to the Maleny STP in March 2013 which included developing a reforestation and wetland area within the Maleny Community Precinct.

“The wetlands, which are like nature’s kidneys, help naturalise treated water from STPs while creating habitats for flora and fauna to benefit the environment and community,” Mr Taylor said.

“Through the wetlands and irrigated forest we hope to attract endangered bird species like the Regent Honeyeater and Australian Bittern as well as frog species like the Giant Barred Frog back to the site.

“We’re passionate about protecting the environment and providing a quality, sustainable community space for residents to enjoy and that’s why we’ve committed to this four-year study.”

Professor Thomas Schlacher from the University of the Sunshine Coast said the aim of this exciting research was to provide a reliable indication of the success of the wetland rehabilitation at the Maleny STP.

“As part of the study we’ll undertake a series of faunal surveys that assess the rehabilitated wetlands at Maleny against several locations with comparable landscape characteristics in the vicinity,” Professor Schlacher said.

“We’ll also actively engage the local community via participation in the surveys and related outreach activities which will be conducted by university students.”

The jointly funded research project, which is expected to cost around $150,000 over the four years, will conclude in 2018.

Mr Taylor said: “This study has long-term goals but regular progress reports will be shared by the University with the Maleny community and other interested groups.

“We believe the Maleny wetlands will increase natural diversity. By measuring and monitoring progress we will be able to transfer that knowledge to benefit other long- term projects.”

 

Green Army descends on Maleny Community Precinct

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A Green Army has descended on Maleny Community Precinct to continue conservation efforts at the 125 ha site.

The Green Army, an  Australian Government initiative, provides an opportunity for young Australians aged 17-24 years to gain training and experience in environmental and heritage conservation fields.

Federal Member for Fisher Mal Brough today (Oct 15) met with Sunshine Coast Divisional Councillor Jenny McKay and Conservation Volunteers Australia members who will be coordinating the Green Army in conjunction with the Council on the precinct.

He also had the opportunity to speak to Green Army participants busy at work at the Precinct.

Mr Brough said he had fought hard to secure this project as he had previously seen the great environmental outcomes and the benefits to the participants.

Cr McKay said the Green Army would continue conservation efforts across the Maleny Community Precinct.

“They’ll be on site for 19 weeks from early October,” Cr McKay said.

“Work will include installing fencing, weeding and maintenance of existing plantings, additional planting across the riparian zones and constructing a walking trail.

“The precinct is true community collaboration, based on conservation and the sustainable public use of the land which is owned by Sunshine Coast Council ratepayers.

“The project will help restore riparian corridors, wetlands and remnant rainforest which in turn provide a habitat for our native fauna such as birds, small mammals, fish, reptiles and invertebrates.

“Controlling weeds that threaten to smother and impact vegetation is another important aim of this project, to help preserve endangered flora and fauna species.

“Improving community links is integral to Maleny Community Precinct project and the site brings together a wide spectrum of community groups.

“Our planning incorporates enhancing and protecting environmental values, providing community use and recreation and protecting early European heritage and the Green Army will  help us achieve that.”

Conservation Volunteers Australia Queensland Manager Dennis Gannaway said the organisation was proud to be the largest service provider for the Green Army initiative In Queensland and across Australia.

“We are particularly pleased to be working with the Sunshine Coast community and Council,” Mr Gannaway said.

“We believe that this experience offers young people an opportunity to get involved with on-ground projects which will result in positive outcomes for the natural environment.

“It will also give them a good practical background to working in the natural resource management field.”

 

* Video by View News

Maleny boardwalk build on track

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Maleny Riverside Boardwalk ConstructionConstruction of a new pedestrian and cycle link with scenic outdoor dining opportunities is underway in Maleny.

Division 5 Councillor Jenny McKay said stage one of the Maleny Riverside Boardwalk project included installation of concrete footings, removal of pavers and laying of concrete behind the Riverside Shopping Centre.

“These initial works have been undertaken with the utmost care and consideration for the surrounding environment, including the nearby Obi Obi Creek which is very important habitat for platypus,” she said.

“Council has had fauna monitors on site to ensure this habitat was not disturbed or harmed as well as that of other native animals and flora.

“I’d like to thank the Riverside Body Corporate for their cooperation with council is supporting this project that will eventually provide a pedestrian and cycle link to the Maleny Community Precinct.”

Stage one works also includes installation of footing micropiles. Once these are in place the installation of the 3m wide boardwalk timber decking and handrails will start. The boardwalk will be extended to 4m behind the restaurant to enable outdoor dining opportunities.

Stage two works will extend east to provide a link with the nearby estate. These works will be subject to future land acquisitions.

Mayor and Minister line up again for cook-off

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Intense concentration between Mayor Jamieson and Minister Powell in last year's cook-off

Intense concentration between Mayor Jamieson and Minister Powell in last year’s cook-off

Queensland Environment Minister, Andrew Powell will go head-to-head with Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson in the ultimate decider at the Real Food Festival cook-off on Saturday, 13th September.

‘The Mayor & The Minister’ cook-off will start at 11.30am in the Kunara Real Food Kitchen and will be facilitated by Free Ranging Chef, Peter Wolfe. Minister Powell secured the win last year while in 2012 Mayor Mark Jamieson took out the title. Festival Director, Julie Shelton said the cook-off would see the culinary skills of both men put to the test.

“The cook-off is always entertaining and adds excitement to the already buzzing festival
atmosphere,” Julie said.

“Mayor Mark Jamieson and Minister Powell are now both experienced winners in the cook-off arena with both having proven they have the skills and determination to take out the cook-off,” Julie said.

Mayor Jamieson and Minister Powell will need to reproduce a dish Chef Peter creates using bushfoods and local ingredients. The criteria for judging will include technique, presentation and, of course, taste. Federal member for Fisher, Mal Brough, will be on hand to help make the final decision on who will take out the decider.

The Mayor and the Minister are great supporters of local food producers and the Real Food Festival, which is now in its fourth year.

This year’s program will include fascinating demonstrations, talks, interactive workshops and kids activities. The Food for Thought venue will offer perspectives on key issues for our region, Food Craft will show kitchen tips and techniques, Nourishing Ideas will focus on diet and health, the Kitchen Garden will give practical advice on gardening, and the Little Sprouts area will inspire kids to develop a lifelong passion for good food.

“The Real Food Festival is about authenticity and enjoying nourishing and delicious food that has been grown and prepared right here in our beautiful Sunshine Coast backyard,” Julie said.

The Real Food Festival will be held at the Maleny Showgrounds, 13 Stanley River Road, Maleny on 13 & 14 September from 9am to 4pm daily and will showcase an abundance of good foods from Sunshine Coast producers, manufacturers and restaurants. Entry is $20 for a daily adult pass and children under 16 are free.

For more information on the Real Food Festival, or to register your interest, visit the website at
www.realfoodfestivals.com.au.

One month countdown to Real Food Festival 2014

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Julie speaks to the guests
Julie speaks to the guests
Lunch preparation - sweet potatoes
Lunch preparation – sweet potatoes
Julie thanking the Festival supporters
Julie thanking the Festival supporters
Lunch preparation
Lunch preparation

The 2014 Real Food Festival organisers will start the month countdown to the big event over an exclusive long table lunch for Festival stakeholders at Spicers Clovelly Estate.

The menu will be designed and presented by Spicers’ own two-hat chef, Cameron Matthews of The Long Apron restaurant, who will take guests including Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson, on a culinary adventure in local produce.

Festival Director Julie Shelton said the lunch, to be held on Wednesday, 13 August, was an important gathering that enabled organisers to thank all the people that collaborated each year to make the Festival happen.

This event is proudly supported by Sunshine Coast Council and Sunshine Coast Destination Limited. Other sponsors and supporters including Spicers Clovelly Estate, Spicers Tamarind Retreat, Kunara Organic Marketplace, Jeffers Market, University of the Sunshine Coast, Buderim Ginger, Nomadic Tents, Maleny SUPA IGA, Outrigger Little Hastings Street, ABC 90.3 Sunshine Coast and ASV Audio Visual have all come on board for 2014. As a result, this year’s Real Food Festival program offers a full weekend of thought-provoking sessions and activities across six inspiring venues.

Australian chef and food writer Christine Manfield will be presenting in the Real Food Kitchen, in conversation with Sunshine Coast food producers Cedar Street Cheeserie, My Berries, Bonnie Beef Growers and Maleny Avocado Oil.

“It is exciting to have a world renowned chef such as Christine appearing at our event,” Julie said. “Christine is not only presenting but has offered to work with local chefs and producers to mentor and encourage them in their endeavours.”

The Sunshine Coast chefs presenting in the Real Food Kitchen are Chef Laurent, Daniel Jarrett from The Tamarind at Maleny, Monica Topliss from Kunara Organic Café at Forest Glen, Cameron Matthews from The Long Apron at Montville, Chris White from Hungry Feel at Buderim, Eric Pernoud from Maison de Provence at Cooroy, and Peter Wolfe from Cedar Creek Farm Bush Foods at Belli Park. Other producers to be featured in the Real Food Kitchen are FishTales, Second Nature Organics, Walker Farm Foods, Obi Obi Essentials and Hermes Strawberries.

In addition to the chef/producer conversations, the festival will include fascinating demonstrations, talks, interactive workshops and kids activities. The Food for Thought venue will offer perspectives on key issues for our region, Food Craft will show kitchen tips and techniques, Nourishing Ideas will focus on diet and health, the Kitchen Garden will give practical advice on gardening, and the Little Sprouts area will inspire kids to develop a lifelong passion for good food.

To wrap up the weekend, local 22-piece band The Unusual Suspects will take to the stage on Sunday afternoon. Their rousing Balkan rhythms and feet-tapping music are sure to get festival-goers dancing out the gates.

The Real Food Festival will be held at the Maleny Showgrounds, 13 Stanley River Road, Maleny on 13 & 14 September from 9am to 4pm daily and will showcase an abundance of good foods from more than 100 Sunshine Coast producers, manufacturers and restaurants. Entry is $20 for a daily adult pass and children under 16 are free.

For more information on the Real Food Festival, or to register your interest, visit the website at www.realfoodfestivals.com.au.

Best and brightest in Glass House recognised

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Member for Glass House, Andrew Powell MP, today congratulated Maleny Cheese and Mr Clem O’Mara from Glass House Mountains for being named regional finalists in the Queensland Training Awards.

Mr Powell said the Queensland Training Awards recognised the state’s top apprentices, trainees, trainers and employers in eight categories.

“The Awards showcase and recognise best practice and innovation in training and I am pleased to congratulate Maleny Cheese and Mr O’Mara who are two of 24 regional finalists selected from our region, and 168 across Queensland, who will be vying for the title of regional winner next month,” Mr Powell said.

“Mr Clem O’Mara is completing a Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical (Diesel Fitting) and is a regional finalist for the Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year award, and Maleny Cheese is a regional finalist for Small Employer of the Year.

“Shaping a strong training system is a key part of the Newman Government’s commitment to increase productivity, grow our economy and reduce unemployment.

“The Newman Government has a strong plan for Queenslanders and it’s important that we mark the successes and celebrate vocational education and training excellence throughout the State.

“We’re committed to providing quality training linked to industry needs, and that’s why we are investing $615 million next financial year to implement our VET Investment Plan for the benefit of individuals, employers and industry.

“The new VET Investment Plan provides a framework for training linked to employment outcomes, and is a key element of our Great skills. Real opportunities. action plan to help Queenslanders acquire great skills and take advantage of real job opportunities.”

The Queensland Training Awards state winners will be announced in September. They will then have the opportunity to progress to the Australian Training Awards held in Adelaide on Friday 21 November 2014.

For further information about the Queensland Training Awards, visit www.qta.qld.gov.au.

New Maleny Sewage Treatment Plant Officially Opened

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Maleny Sewerage Treatment Plant - using nature to polish treated water

Maleny Sewage Treatment Plant – using nature to polish treated water

To mark World Environment Day, Unitywater today officially launched the new Maleny Sewage Treatment Plant at a community event celebrating the completion of this $17 million investment.

The Maleny Sewage Treatment plant was officially opened by Unitywater CEO George Theo at an event attended by Director-General of the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection Jon Black, local Councillor Jenny McKay and representatives from 10 local community groups.

Interested residents had the opportunity to tour the new facility as well as Unitywater’s 30 hectare irrigated forest and wetlands, a key component of the overall upgrade project.

Unitywater is focused on investing in cost-effective approaches to treat sewage that will deliver better outcomes for the community and the environment.

Unitywater’s CEO, George Theo said the upgrade of the 32-year-old plant was an example of green engineering at its best, delivering environmental innovation and financial savings to the community.

“Compared to other options, the innovative approach we chose to upgrade this plant demonstrated savings of up to $18 million over its service life and will help to keep bills as low as possible for our customers.

“Wetlands are like nature’s kidneys, acting as filters trapping sediment and recycling nutrients. By incorporating them into the upgrade we are using natural processes of vegetation and soils to improve water quality, which is not only practical, but self-sustaining,” Mr. Theo said.

Maleny’s old sewage treatment plant was last upgraded in 1989 with the capacity to service 2000 people. The new plant, which was designed and constructed by contractor Monadelphous, has the capacity to service more than 5000 residents.

Unitywater Project Manager Andrew Mills said the new facility delivers a range of benefits to the community and environment.

“Three and a half years in the making, the new plant will help to protect the current and future health of the environment and community, while the forest and wetlands have transformed a section of an old dairy farm into an important habitat for flora and fauna,” Mr Mills said.

Unitywater worked with Sunshine Coast Regional Council, local bushcare groups and the community to develop parts of the forest and wetlands system and align them with the Maleny Community Precinct Master Plan. This includes walking tracks and planting zones for the community to enjoy.

Traditional owners of the land, the Jinibara people, have also played an active role, working hand-in-hand with Unitywater to ensure the heritage of the land was respected during construction and artefacts of cultural significance protected.

Mr Theo said Unitywater would invest an estimated $78 million in 2014-15 to support the ongoing delivery of water and sewerage services for its customers.

He said the capital works program for next financial year for the Sunshine Coast also includes the completion of the $46.5 million upgrade of the Nambour Sewage Treatment Plant in November and approximately $7.7 million annually across our service area for programs to replace meters, hydrants and valves.

“This is part of the five-year forecast spend for 2014-15 to 2018-19 which will see about $700 million invested in infrastructure needed to cater for population growth and to meet strict environmental standards,” Mr Theo said.

Hinterland Connect Services Safe Pending Council Funding

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Hinterland Connect passengers are the winners of a Queensland government decision to extend their bus service for a further twelve months pending council funding.

Member for Glass House Andrew Powell said the decision to keep the service operating for another year follows extensive lobbying by his office, Sunshine Coast Councillor Jenny McKay and the local community to the Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson.

“The Queensland Government is committed to revitalising frontline services and the Hinterland Connect is part of our stronger plan for a brighter future,” Mr Powell said.

“We are a Government that listens and over the past 12 months the community have told me they want this service to stay in place.

“Minister Emerson agreed to extend the trial for another year if the Sunshine Coast Regional Council continues to share the cost on a 50/50 basis.

“This service provides essential connections to hinterland towns including Maleny, Montville, Flaxton and Mapleton, providing vital links for the community to access other services and facilities including the Nambour hospital and train station and local schools.”

Mr Powell said changes to the timetable were also being discussed.

“I have also spoken to the Minister about reviewing the timetable to ensure that passengers are able to meet their connections and/or appointments in order to drive up patronage,” he said.

“This is all subject to the Sunshine Coast Regional Council stepping up and agreeing to continue funding the service for a further 12 months.

“As a hail ‘n’ ride service passengers can signal the driver between scheduled stops and board or depart the bus in safe spots along the route.”

If council agree to the funding, and the new timetable will start on Monday, 7 July following consultation with the community.

Housing Minister Visits Maleny

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[Video] Member for Glass House, Andrew Powell MP, hosted Minister for Housing and Public Works, Tim Mander at two forums in Maleny today (16th Apr 2014).

Minister Mander was invited to attend forums at Maleny Grove Retirement Village and Sunstone Gardens over 50s Village to discuss the Newman Government’s review into the Retirement Villages Act 1999 and theManufactured Homes (Residential Parks) Act 2003.

“Residents of Maleny Grove and Sunstone Gardens have approached me with feedback and questions on the Government’s review into the legislation governing these parks,” Mr Powell said.

“The forums provided a platform for open discussion with many questions being put forward to the Minister and I appreciate the Minister taking the time to visit Maleny to speak with residents today.”

Housing and Public Works Minister Tim Mander said the recent review of the Manufactured Homes (Residential Parks) Act 2003 received many submissions from manufactured home owners across Queensland and responses were currently being considered by the government.  

“We are keen to engage with manufactured homes owners and seek their views on how the Act can be improved.

“There are approximately 21,000 manufactured homes in parks across Queensland, many of them owned by retirees and seniors, so it is essential that the rights of all parties are clearly defined and understood,” Mr Mander said.

 

Maleny Cheese Celebrates Ten Years

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[Video] Award winning Maleny Cheese has celebrated its tenth year in business.

As well as cake and celebrations it has marked the occasion by reinforcing their commitment to the Queensland Dairy Industry with the purchase of a Kenilworth dairy farm which was set to close.