August 23, 2008 - There's a very important group of local volunteers who give generously of their time and skills ... the men and women from Meals on Wheels.

On August 23, the Kingaroy and District Meals on Wheels Committee said thank you to the volunteers who deliver meals to those who no longer are able to cook for themselves but wish to remain in the comfort of their own homes.

Some 14,000 meals are delivered each year. Deliveries take place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

A very special volunteer is Alma Heit who has been a continuous Meals on Wheels deliverer for more than 30 years. Well done Alma!

August 20, 2008 - On August 21, Cr Cheryl Dalton and I met with a number of farmers and graziers, (including Graham Wilson, right and below), at the Twin Bridges on the Burrandowan Road.

The Department of Main Roads has placed load limits on four bridges in this area which will impose a major financial impact on landholders who will have to choose an alternate route to transport their livestock and farm produce.

The alternate route not only adds 100km to a round trip to and from Kingaroy but these roads are local Council roads and have not been constructed to handle a major increase in heavy traffic.

We asked the Main Roads personnel for a stay in the implementation of the load limits so that landholders and business operators using this route could have more time to make a submission on what the imposed weight limits would cost them as well as the South Burnett Regional Council.

We also asked the DMR to construct side tracks around the bridges until the bridges are repaired or replaced.

It is just too easy for State Government to say “well, the bridges can’t handle the weight of the loads you are placing over them” and in the same breath say “we don’t have the money to fix them”.

Apparently, the Government thinks it’s okay for farmers to dip into their pockets to meet the added expense of using the alternate routes. This is not a satisfactory solution! I don’t dispute the technical deficiencies of the bridges but there has been a failure in planning here.

UPDATE September 12: The Department of Main Roads has advised the Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry that urgent strengthening and rehabilitation work will commence on four bridges (Boyne River, Sandy Creek, Wiedens Crossing and Ironpot Creek) on the Kingaroy-Burrandowan Road. This work will be completed in October, weather permitting, and when completed the load limits will be lifted.

This is a great result for everyone who lobbied the DMR!

August 15, 2008 - There’s been a great result for the community after the surprise closure of the Ficks Crossing Outdoor Recreation Centre near Murgon by the Department of Sport and Recreation in March this year.

Representatives from the State Government recently handed over the keys of the facility to the South Burnett Regional Council at a ceremony attended by Mayor David Carter and Councillors, (right).

A process will now begin to determine what the best community outcome for the camp site and park will be so everyone can continue to enjoy this great community facility!

August 8, 2008 - During the Election Campaign, various issues were raised with me that I will bring to the table for discussion in planning as we move forward.

One item affects which affects Kingaroy ratepayers is the lack of car parking spaces in the main body of the Kingaroy CBD. This is not a new issue but it is one that continues to aggravate business owners whose customers are disadvantaged when the street parking spots are filled by people who work in the CBD.

It’s too easy though to play the blame game. We need to conduct a thorough analysis of parking habits of business owners, their staff and shoppers.

If we want staff to park away from the main street, then there has to be adequate and attractive car parking areas that will entice workers to park in these places.

As Kingaroy continues to grow as a major place for retail activity, the greater the opportunity for business owners to generate sales, make profits and employ staff ... but only if shoppers can find a convenient place to park. This equation is not a difficult one to understand, however, a remedy for the parking problem that suits all parties is not so easy.

Before Council spends any dollars on providing car parks, we need to understand what each party needs.

A second issue that was raised with me many times during the election campaign was recycling.

Let’s get moving on recycling! Some people are passionate about the need to recycle and a kerbside recycling program would be ideal. This is a service provided in many other locations where two wheelie bins are available for homeowners: one for rubbish and the other for recyclables ie plastics, paper and cardboard, glass and metal cans.

There are recycling business operating in the South Burnett including one at First Avenue, Kingaroy, where people can leave items in the appropriate bins. However a large amount of recyclable material still finishes up in landfill.

As a Council we need to undertake further work to develop a strategy that best addresses recycling and how to handle waste materials in the future.

August 4, 2008 - Recently I visited the Goodger properties of Wendy Buttsworth and her sister-in-law Natasha, (right). When you arrive, the first thing that hits you is their hospitality and the beauty of the view and the surroundings.

The properties have been in the Buttsworth family for generations but are now earmarked to become part of the Kunioon Mine operation.

The Buttsworths oppose the mine. This is understandable as they will lose part of their family's history. They also say the land is bathed in almost year-round south-easterly breezes so they believe the mining operation could affect Kingaroy residents.

As well as the preservation of their heritage, they have raised some legitimate points - for example, the loss of agricultural land.

However at the end of the day the Kunioon Mine issue really is one of "the greater good", that is coal to power the State of Queensland. Also, the ongoing economic benefit to the South Burnett community from this mining venture cannot be underestimated.

While I am very sympathetic to the Buttsworths' situation, the reality is that a number of other landholders have already signed up to sell to Tarong Energy.

July 24, 2008 - The Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce's July Meet'n'Greet was held at Dean-Wilson Aviation's assembly shed at Kingaroy Airport.

This amazing company has developed a two-seat training aircraft called the Whitney Boomerang and is constructing them right here in Kingaroy. They are currently working on planes five, six and seven which are in different stages of development in the workshop.

Mark Reinbott, from DWA, explained the testing procedures which the Boomerang had to pass to achieve its CASA certification and invited all those present to inspect the plane and the factory.

The other guest speaker on the night was new South Burnett Regional Council CEO Tony Hayward (pictured at right with me and KCCI Executive Member Jenny Walters) who introduced himself to the local business community.

The former Whitsunday Shire Council CEO is quickly finding his way around the South Burnett after starting work on July 14.

July 19, 2008 - Who says councillors won't play ball? Well no one who saw me at yesterday's CTC Staff Day could possibly accuse me of that.

South Burnett CTC staff do amazing work around the South Burnett dealing with youth issues, homelessness and much, much more. But yesterday they decided to hold an "ideas summit" to toss around ideas with each other and councillors from the South Burnett Regional Council.

What I didn't realise was that they were also going to take a break to toss around stress balls. So to anyone passing through the Town Common soccer grounds at lunchtime yesterday... yes, they were Councillors. And yes, they were playing ball!

On a more serious note, the Number 1 concern identified on the day will come as no surprise to most locals: transport. Some innovative ideas were put forward but unfortunately there's no easy solution. Mayor David Carter foreshadowed further Council consideration of this problem.

Some interesting stats from the meeting: CTC's monthly fuel bill is $9500 and its phone / telecommunications cost is $8000 / month!

RIGHT: Keith Campbell with CTC staff member Jodi Woodall

March 27, 2008 - All I can say is thank you ... For many years at Bean Growers Australia I admired the painting that was hanging on the wall in the boardroom. This view of the BGA complex surrounded by paddocks was painted by well-known Kingaroy artist David Bryce.

When I retired from the company late last year, I joked that it would look good on my wall at home.

Last week, BGA asked me to attend a Board Meeting. At the end of business, they presented me with the painting!

This has capped off a long and very happy association with BGA for me.

I was there, more or less, from the beginning and I worked with many, many good people over the years who contributed to the company's success.

I'll always remember them - and the good times I had at BGA - whenever I look at this painting.

ABOVE RIGHT: BGA Director Ian Sharpe, CEO Mark Adamson, Chairman Colin Hoey, Keith Campbell and Directors Russell Dower and Gary Truss. Photo courtesy South Burnett Times

March 24, 2008 - Mannuem State School closed in 1983 but a band of former students has continued to meet on a regular basis to keep old friendships and memories alive.

Along the way it was decided to commemorate the site of the former school by placing a plaque on the nature strip adjacent to the site. I was honoured earlier this month to be asked to unofficially unveil this plaque (right).

Many thanks to Hazel Gurski (nee Vidler), Lyle Vidler, Gloria Imber (nee Hayden), Norm Ford, Bob Horton and a band of other helpers who worked to make this project a reality.

The Friends of Mannuem School group has asked the new South Burnett Regional Council to ensure that places of significance to the development of the South Burnett are marked and suitably badged with an appropriate commemorative inscription.

I will ensure that this matter is kept on the agenda of Council as we move forward.

The old school sites were the centre of life for little farming communities. There are scarcely any remaining that service farming districts as children are now transported to the larger centres.

PS. The former Mannuem school buildings can now be found at St John's Lutheran School in Kingaroy. They were the very first buildings used by the Lutheran School Committee to start their private school. The former school residence became the Principal's Office and Administrative Block. The old school itself became the classrooms for the first students.

March 4, 2008 - Voting is compulsory at the March 15 local government elections so it is important that you turn up at the correct polling booth for your Division!

There will be booths in each Division of the new South Burnett Regional Council however not all Division electors will be able to vote at all booths, eg at the Kingaroy Town Hall booth, only residents from Division 1, Division 3, Division 4 and Division 6 will be able to cast a vote.

And remember, if you are in Division 4, you must still cast a vote for mayor!

Download the official list of Polling Booths (92kb PDF)

PS. The Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce & Industry has organised a Mayoral Forum at the Kingaroy Town Hall Reception room from 7pm tonight. Each mayoral candidate will answer a set list of questions and council candidates for Division 3 and 6 will also be in attendance. See you there!!