Premier's message
Grabbing the opportunity for a one-on-one with Premier Bligh at the Ingham Community Cabinet was Rae Domin, Tourism Manager for Hinchinbrook Shire Council.
I was delighted to hold this, my sixth Community Cabinet, in Ingham and Townsville.
Both Ingham and Townsville make valuable contributions to Queensland's economy, through tourism, primary industry and as a centre of education excellence. This beautiful part of the state is vibrant and exciting, and has a lot to offer locals and visitors alike.
Listening to the views and concerns of all Queenslanders is a high priority for my government and I am pleased that we were able to offer access to my ministers and directors-general on both days of this Community Cabinet.
A range of issues was discussed in deputations, the public forum and during the luncheon. My ministers, heads of departments and myself were able to see first hand the challenges and opportunities of this region. While I was in Ingham I visited the site of the new 32-bed hospital, due for completion in early 2010 and, in Townsville, I attended the sod-turning ceremony for the new Birth Centre. These projects will both contribute to the health and well-being of residents in this region.
I always enjoy watching young people perform at Community Cabinets and I congratulate the students of Ingham and Townsville for their excellent performances and behaviour over the two days. We are all very proud of you.
Thank you for making us so welcome in Ingham and Townsville.
Anna Bligh MP
Premier of Queensland
Townsville Birth Centre is born
Friends of the Birth Centre representatives Christine Young with Tully Bowtell-Young, Honey Acharya, Philippa Scott, Premier Bligh, Grier Carmac with Zander Carmac and Gail Hamilton with Acacia Hamilton.
Work has commenced on the new Townsville Birth Centre.
The Friends of the Birth Centre gave input into the centre's design and were present at the sod-turning ceremony with Premier Bligh and Minister for Health Stephen Robertson.
The $2.2 million centre will have three birth spaces for expectant mothers to use until they have given birth and are ready to be discharged.
‘More women are seeking low-clinical intervention models for low-risk deliveries, as well as holistic support for their antenatal and post-birth care,’ Premier Bligh said.
The Birth Centre will be attached to the Townsville Hospital and mothers will have the support of referral services should intervention be necessary.
New hospital for Ingham
Left to right: Acting Director-General of Health Professor Andrew Wilson, Health Minister Stephen Robertson, Medical Superintendent Ingham Health Service Alain Sanouiller, Premier Anna Bligh, Director of Nursing and Facilities Manager Ingham Hospital Robert Baker and Manager of Watpac North Queensland Bryan Glancy.
Premier Anna Bligh and Minister for Health Stephen Robertson inspected the progress on the new 32-bed hospital being built in Ingham.
The hospital, which is due for completion in early 2010, will house an emergency department, a clinical operating suite, an outpatient clinic and a dental clinic.
‘Once the new building is occupied, the old hospital will be demolished and a medical centre and additional car parking will be constructed in its place,’ Mr Robertson said.
Townsville to host Disability Action Week launch
Townsville will host the launch of the 2008 Disability Action Week celebrations, Minister for Disability Services and Member for Mundingburra Lindy Nelson-Carr announced during the Community Cabinet.
The launch will take place on Sunday 14 September, with negotiations for a suitable venue well underway.
‘This is a great opportunity for Townsville to put out the welcome mat and promote understanding and acceptance of people of all abilities,’ Ms Nelson-Carr said.
‘It is also a chance for local businesses and organisations to show their support for this inclusive community event, which last year attracted more than 4000 people to Hervey Bay for a family fun day.’
The Disability Action Week awards will soon be open for nominations. The annual awards recognise Queenslanders who have contributed to a better quality of life for people with a disability.
For more information visit the Disabilty Action Week website.
Phone 1800 177 120 or TTY 1800 010 222
Ingham Bruce Highway upgrade ahead of schedule
The upgrade of the Bruce Highway south of Ingham is expected to be completed four months early, according to Minister for Main Roads Warren Pitt.
During his visit to Ingham, Mr Pitt inspected the $28 million upgrade, which will reduce the severity and frequency of flood closures during the wet season.
‘This upgrade has a number of design features that will improve safety for motorists on this stretch of highway,’ Mr Pitt said.
Concrete foundations for 12 unemployed Townsville workers
A Queensland Government-funded project will help develop the skills of 12 unemployed Indigenous people in Townville, preparing them for work in the construction industry.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative would provide $125,710 to TORGAS, to prepare Indigenous people for work in the construction industry.
Member for Townsville Mike Reynolds said the amount of construction planned in the next few years means concreters will be in demand.
After the 13 weeks working with local government agencies, the participants will work another two weeks with private sector employers.
Police Officers of the Year announced
Left to right: Carolyn and Bruce Harmer, Salvation Army; Member for Thuringowa Craig Wallace; Sergeant Cole; Darlene and Dale Murray, Salvation Army.
Premier Anna Bligh has announced the winners of the Townsville Bulletin's North Queensland Police Officer of the Year.
The joint winners are Sergeant Tony Cole from Doomadgee and Sergeant Brad Gough from Rollingstone. The runner-up was Constable Mandy Arnold from Charters Towers.
‘On behalf of all Queenslanders I congratulate and thank these officers for their contributions and dedication,’ Premier Bligh said.
‘Police often don't receive the recognition they deserve and I thank the Townsville Bulletin for shining a light on some outstanding officers who really are community champions,’ she said.
The two winners both donated their prize monies to charity as soon as the announcement was made. Sergeant Cole gave his prize to the Thuringowa City Salvation Army and Sergeant Gough donated his to the Royal Children's Hospital.
Making fuel from algae
Chairman of MBD Biodiesel Ltd John Cornelius; Dr Kirsten Heimann, James Cook University; and Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Desley Boyle.
A revolutionary procedure to turn algae into biodiesel has been granted $166,000 funding by the Queensland Government.
The process is an Australian first and involves developing biodiesel for transport and industry from algae, which can be grown in ponds, tanks or on poor-quality land.
The project is a partnership between James Cook University and the Australian company MBD Biodiesel Ltd. Premier Anna Bligh and Minister for Regional Development and Industry Desley Boyle announced the funding during the Community Cabinet in Townsville.
‘Algae may well be a significant future alternative fuel source as we set about tackling climate change,’ Premier Bligh said.
‘In our view the production of biodiesel complements ethanol as an alternative renewable fuel for Queensland, so this is the kind of project we support,’ Ms Boyle said.
New chopper to the rescue
EMQ Helicopter Rescue Townsville Base Manager Alex Wright and Minister for Emergency Services Neil Roberts.
Townsville's Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ) Rescue has a new helicopter for aero-medical, search and rescue services .
The Agusta Westland (AW) 139 is one of three helicopters purchased to upgrade EMQ's current fleet.
Minister for Emergency Services Neil Roberts said the AW139 helicopters will greatly boost search and rescue and patient transfer across North Queensland.
‘When configured for EMQ Helicopter Rescue, the AW139 will have a single flight endurance of three hours, giving it an operational range of 870 km, flying at 290 km per hour,’ Mr Roberts said.
Mr Roberts, and local members, Lindy Nelson-Carr, Mike Reynolds and Craig Wallace inspected the helicopter at its Townsville base during the Community Cabinet.
The pilots and crews of EMQ's emergency rescue helicopters were featured in the ABC TV series Chopper Rescueearlier this year.
Feral pig eradication program
Left to right: Tudor Tanase, Hinchinbrook Shire Council; Lex Mackie, local landholder; Ross Domin, EPA Senior Ranger; David Bacchiella, pig trapper; Minister McNamara; and Matthew Buchman, Hinchinbrook Shire Council.
During Community Cabinet, Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation Andrew McNamara was briefed about the feral pig eradication program, which has seen 170 pigs removed this year in the Ingham area.
The Environmental Protection Agency is spending $140,000 this year across the Wet Tropics on the control of feral pigs, with the focus on pig-trapping activities on the EPA estate and on privately owned properties adjoining protected areas.
Mr McNamara said controlling feral animals and pest plants was a vital part of the EPA's management of parks, forests and other lands under its responsibility.
‘Significant cooperation exists between the EPA, neighbouring landholders, local council and community organisations to target problem areas, and to develop and implement eradication programs,’ he said.
Townsville's favourite teacher
Left to right: Heatley State School Sports Captain Cyra Burns, Favourite Teacher winner Leigh Rintoul, Minister for Education Rod Welford,and Heatley State School Music Captain Shannon Hurlack.
The Ingham / Townsville Community Cabinet coincided with State Education Week 2008 and Premier Anna Bligh and Minister for Education and Training Rod Welford were on hand to launch the festivities.
The winner of the Townsville Bulletin's
My Favourite Teacher competition was announced at the celebrations - Heatley State School's Year 5 teacher Leigh Rintoul.
‘Our teachers are at the forefront in providing a world-class education to Queensland's young people, so it was great to meet Leigh, who is among 39 worthy winners across the state,’ Premier Bligh said.
Tyto Precinct project
Grabbing the opportunity for a one-on-one with Premier Bligh at the Ingham Community Cabinet was Rae Domin, Tourism Manager for Hinchinbrook Shire Council.
Premier Anna Bligh has announced a $4 million grant from the Queensland Government's Q150 Legacy Infrastructure Program for the Tyto Precinct project.
The $8 million project is stage two of the precinct. It will protect the Tyto Wetlands and provide visitors with an insight into the sensitive habitat.
The Tyto Precinct is named after the Tyto owl, which lives in the rehabilitated wetlands area.
‘Since rehabilitation eight years ago, the Tyto Wetlands have become a magnet for birdlife as well as birdwatchers from around the world, and we are keen to see that continue,’ Premier Bligh said.
Stage two includes a parkland and lagoon recreation area, an elevated walkway
connecting a small café, business outlets and a community building.
The parkland and lagoon will be completed in December 2008 and the building work in
June 2009.
Innisfail TAFE set to expand
The public forum at Ingham attracted a great deal of interest with a wide range of questions to the Premier and her ministers.
A new education and training precinct is proposed for the Innisfail TAFE site, expanding and transforming it into a $36.7 million learning community.
Minister for Education and Training Rod Welford and Member for Mulgrave Warren Pitt jointly announced the concept for the precinct, which will house both high school and TAFE students.
Mr Welford said that in addition to transforming existing TAFE buildings, it was proposed to expand the campus by 1.15 hectares and add new facilities, including sport and performing arts centres.
‘It is anticipated that all facilities will be completed for the start of the 2010 school year,’ Mr Pitt said.
The sports centre will also double as a natural disaster shelter.
Announcements
Job training at Jumbun Farm
Six unemployed Indigenous people are completing a work placement on Jumbun Farm at Murray Upper.
The Skilling Queenslanders for Workinitiative is providing $87,330 for stage two of the Jumbun Agricultural Development and will provide accredited training for the participants.
$4.6 million for Townsville Diversionary services
The Queensland Government is funding two Indigenous organisations to improve the safety of people who are homeless or have alcohol problems.
Minister for Communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Lindy Nelson-Carr announced funding of $3.14 million for Yumba-Meta Housing Association Limited to manage the Reverend Charles Harris Diversionary Centre and $1.48 million for the Murri Watch Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation.
Cleveland Bay declared Fish Habitat Area
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin has confirmed Cleveland Bay in Townsville as a Fish Habitat Area.
This will offer protection to natural fish habitats from alteration and degradation associated with coastal development. The area is still open to fishing and boating.
New firefighting vehicles for Townsville
Queensland Fire and Rescue Service brigades at Wulguru and Woodlands in the Townsville area have each received a new Type 4 Scania pumper vehicle, fitted with road crash fire equipment. The cost of each vehicle is $580,000.
‘These appliances are the latest and greatest in terms of our urban firefighting fleet. They can carry 1500 litres of water, and pump at a rate of 4500 litres per minute,’ Minister for Emergency Services Neil Roberts said.
More support for people with a disability in Ingham
The Ingham Parents Support Group will receive an additional $76,000 in recurrent funding and $34,360 in one-off funding to improve the capacity of Kirkcaldy Accommodation.
The funding was announced by Minister for Disability Services Lindy Nelson-Carr who visited the house during the Community Cabinet.
The group also receives funding from Disability Services Queensland's Home and Community Care program.
Upgrade for Ingham Ambulance Station
The Ingham Ambulance Station is to be upgraded as part of a state-wide upgrade program.
Premier Anna Bligh announced funding of $100,000 to convert a former garage into a training room and for parking for staff and the local community.
qconnect for Magnetic Island buses
The qconnect fare and ticketing system was introduced for Magnetic Island transport on 10 June, standardising bus fares, introducing new services and making the system more user-friendly.
The new system includes three and four-zone fares, reducing the price of tickets to $2.40 and $3.10.
Townsville to play maritime safety role
Minister for Transport John Mickel announced funding for a $5 million Vessel Traffic Service centre to monitor shipping movements off the North Queensland coast.
The facility, which will be operational in early 2010, will also track and organise vessel movement in the ports of Abbot Point and Lucinda, using remote monitoring technology.
