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Click here to find out moreFollowing discussions with the Townsville Bulletin, Council can now confirm that local news and stories will be published weekly on Wednesdays in the Townsville Bulletin.
The pages dedicated for this purpose will appear after the editorial and the number of pages will depend on the stories and reports evolving. The first edition will appear on Wednesday 1 July 2020.
The survey recently conducted by Council in relation to the retention or otherwise of news in hard paper fashion has revealed a significant portion of our community wants a paper.
Results are as follows:
- Printed daily or as required - 28 people.
- Printed on specified days in a “district section” - 223 people.
The vast majority of responses received overwhelmingly indicated that the viewers preferred a specific day and section. Thank you to everyone who took the time to be involved. Your help was of great assistance to Council in its discussions with the Townsville Bulletin. Council will continue with its current arrangements with News Corp and will gauge the appropriateness of the delivery over the coming months.
Illegal Dumping
Reports are being received of illegal rubbish dumping occurring in parts of the district. Most disappointing is the nature of items being dumped. The normal excuse Council receives when culprits are apprehended is that they cannot afford the tip fees.
That however makes no sense when you see what is dumped - normal daily household refuse which goes in the red wheelie bin anyway. Items such as microwaves, washing machines, clothes dryers and prams, which are mostly comprised of metal, are recyclable and free to dispose of.
Investigations into the most recent incidents in the Abergowrie area are continuing. Somebody always knows something and with traceability of product ever improving, illegal dumpers will be caught.
Illegal dumping costs the community significantly, due to the necessity for clean ups. It is for that reason the State Government has recently allocated $630,000 towards professional investigation services. As part of the North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils, Council will soon have investigators working on the ground to mitigate against illegal dumping.
Recovery Assistance
Council staff have been extremely busy collating and preparing submissions for funding assistance from the State Government as part of the Queensland Economic Recovery Strategy. Applications have been made for support on many fronts including agriculture, tourism, leisure lifestyle and beautification. The main element is for projects that can be manufactured and delivered locally to assist with both short and long term job creation.
Projects submitted include:
- Mount Fox Road pavement and bitumen sealing;
- Bioenergy/Biofuel acceleration programs;
- Dungeness dredging and car park upgrade;
- Heated grain storage facilities;
- Warrens Hill Road water main extension;
- Shared footpath connectivity program, Ingham; and
- Community Digital Collaboration Infrastructure.
COVID-19 Support Packages
Hinchinbrook Seniors are advised that under COVID-19 support packages, the Queensland State Government has announced the Seniors and Accessibility Assistance Program. This is a one-off $5,000 for larger home repairs or upgrades to improve home safety or security. It is available for Queenslanders aged 60 years and over, or people of any age with a disability who cannot undertake or pay for critical home maintenance without assistance. Contact your local Home Assist Secure service provider ph 4756 2600 or 1800 130 943 or email nq.has@bluecare.org.au.
Multilingual Hinchinbrook Emergency Action Guides
The Hinchinbrook Emergency Action Guide is now available in three additional languages: Italian, Spanish and Tagalog (Filipino). These are readily available from Council’s Lannercost Street Office, Libraries, and Visitor Information Centre as well as Council’s website Disaster and Emergency Information page. The translation of the Hinchinbrook Emergency Action Guide was jointly funded under Australian Commonwealth and Queensland State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
The Emergency Action Guide focuses on natural disasters and provides information on preparing an emergency plan, emergency kit and evacuation kit. It outlines the best way to survive a natural disaster and how to find information during disaster events such as cyclone, flood, bushfire, landslide, heatwave or severe thunderstorm. The availability of translated guides will improve understanding of disaster directives and warnings for limited English proficient populations, and help to remove barriers for first responders and emergency providers before, during and after disaster events. If you or your organisation connects with residents who may benefit from these translated guides, please contact Council on 4776 4600 to arrange collection.
Holiday Here This Year
School holidays are starting this weekend, kicking off with the Show Holiday on Friday. I encourage you to take the opportunity to holiday here, and explore our beautiful region.
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