Mayor's Message - Council Connections 14 November 2018

Ingham Women’s Bowls Club birthday

Congratulations to the Ingham Women’s Bowls Club on celebrating its 80^th birthday as a club.  The occasion was celebrated with a lovely lunch following morning bowls at which Queensland Women’s Bowls Officials participated.

Keep up the good work as the fellowship opportunities afforded by your club and all clubs within our district only serves to enhance our community’s quality of life and spirit.

Raintree Markets raise funds for Palliative Care

Congratulations and well done to the Raintree Marketeers whom recently raised and donated $722 to Ingham Palliative Care.

Ingham Palliative Care do a tremendous job in making life so much easier for those in need and the funds received will go towards the purchase of much needed recliners to ensure the comfort of patients at the Ingham Hospital.

Works at Frances / Cattle Creek

Commuters are becoming quite frustrated with ongoing speed restrictions through Frances / Cattle Creek roadworks, particularly as the roadwork appears finished.

Council has discussed this matter with the Department of Transport and Main Roads and are informed that restrictions continue to be necessary due to ongoing truck movements in removal of the old bridge, old sections of road and de-establishment operations.

The Department agreed to increase current restrictions from 60km/ hr to 80 km/hr during non-work hours effective Monday 5 November 2018 and it is expected that all restrictions will be lifted within three weeks.

Expressions of Interest – Hinchinbrook Island

The recent call for expressions of interest to develop eco tourism activities on Hinchinbrook Island certainly created some interest. Council is delighted that the government has seen fit to look into potential for opportunities in our region as it is a matter Council has been campaigning for strenuously since July 2016.

The call is out for innovative ideas to assist in the activation of our economy through tourism.  But let there be no misunderstanding – this is not a licence to replicate “Hamilton Island” as such nor will shopping centres be allowable.  Any activity proposed will need to meet the stringent eco tourism framework and guidelines that underpin our National Parks.  We have a duty to protect our environment and that obligation cannot be ignored.

We are working closely with the protected area special projects unit to ensure our local interests are ensured and that our regions needs are forefront throughout the process as we believe the opportunities for local participation and stimulation are significant.

We are arranging for the project unit to conduct a briefing session in the near future and will advertise the event shortly.

Insurance Council of Australia Forum

A public forum was held recently by the Insurance Council of Australia at TYTO to discuss issues of concern to the public.

The biggest issue on everyone’s mind is the high cost of insurance and in some cases, the ability to obtain insurance. This is a major concern of Council given the constraints to business growth and entry of new business into the market.

It is clear that the cost of insurance is now governed by risk to the insurer of cover to be offered and that insurance being the domain of private enterprise, relief through government intervention is considered highly remote.

Increasing cost will only be avoided through risk mitigation.  Your broker will be able to tell you the strategies that will assist.  For instance, it was suggested at the forum that if your house was built in 1960, but had a new roof put on it in 1998 – then specify the date of the new roof as the integral aspect of the home construction – not simply that the house was built in 1960.  It may make a big difference.

Council is working with the Insurance Council to make flood related information more readily available.  We are looking at easier methods for householders to prove that their liveable areas are not affected by flood waters as this aspect will assist in premium reduction.  For further information or possible methods towards reducing your insurance premiums, please contact your preferred broker as soon as possible.

Cr Ramon Jayo

Mayor