A moment of beauty captures art prize

Warwick photographer Peter Hinchley has won the Southern Downs Simply Irresistible Creative Arts Competition with a photograph of a magic moment in Victoria Park, Warwick.

The competition was run as part of the Southern Downs 2030 Community Plan project and artworks from the competition may be used to illustrate the final Community Plan document.

Mr Hinchley was ecstatic with the win for his piece titled "Morning fog reclines, sunrise breaks through. He received $250 for his efforts.

He said he always carries his camera with him in case of a good photo opportunity.

"I do an early morning walk and by the time I hit Victoria Park, it seemed like the perfect atmosphere – it was a foggy morning, you couldn't see the houses, you look down through the park and it was just like a country paddock with the sun shining through the mist. It was just a magical moment, he said.

"It was a variation of beauty that captured the Southern Downs - there is a great deal of beauty to be found in the region.

After an international career in film and television, Mr Hinchley moved to Warwick about four and a half years ago to concentrate on photography and writing.

"I always remember learning about the Darling Downs in school [on the Gold Coast] and I'm now creating a pictorial coffee table book about the Southern Downs, he said.

Second prize of $150 went to Tom Beckendorff of Warwick for his art piece Simply Irrisistable (No 1), with Dana Mitchell of Warwick winning third prize of $75 with her artpiece "The Fishing is Simply Irrisistible. A Highly Commended of $50 went to Cecilia Adams of Stanthorpe for her piece Simply Irrisistible (No 2).

Winner of the People's Choice, determined by votes from the public, was Kerrie Stratford of Stanthorpe for her piece "Celebrating the Harvest.

Photos of all the artworks are on http://www.sd2030.com.au/.

For more information on the new Southern Downs 2030 Community Plan, as endorsed by Council in November 2011, please visit http://www.sd2030.com.au/.

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Council plans three new playground upgrades

Having just opened a revamped Leslie Park playground in Warwick to rave reviews from local families, Southern Downs Regional Council today announced it will start work upgrading three more playgrounds in January.

Substantial upgrades with a total value of $184,000 will be made to Killarney's Canning Park, Allora's Stuart Henry Park and Warwick's Chase Estate Park by the end of February 2012.

Mayor Ron Bellingham said it's all about creating better public open space, and providing healthy, outdoor destinations for parents to take their children .

"In the last three and a half years this new Council has replaced eight public amenities blocks and made substantial upgrades to 13 parks across the Southern Downs, not counting these three new projects, Cr Bellingham said.

"We're not going to stop here he said. "Every year there will be consideration given to other parks in our capital budget.

"We'll be looking first and foremost at safety, upgrading those parks with old or outdated equipment that doesn't meet current Australian safety standards.

Nestled in between the Allora Swimming Pool, basketball courts and Skate Park, upgrades to Stuart Henry Park at Allora will see it become the hub of a children's play precinct. The playground will be completely revamped with a complex new fort and monkey bar series, double chain swing set and a bird's nest swing, similar to the one in Leslie Park.

Canning Park in Killarney will get new play equipment aimed at younger children, with shade cloth coverings. The new play ground will be fully fenced to provide maximum safety and peace of mind for parents.

"This will be a destination for parents to go and know their little tackers won't get away, said Parks & Gardens Coordinator John Newley.

"It's on the main drag in Killarney, and is near another playground suitable for older children, so will be a great destination for families with kids of all ages, either locally or for people travelling through.

Council will also replace aging play equipment in Chase Estate Park in Warwick with a modern colourful playground that meets current Australian standards. "The kids will love it, Mr Newley said.

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Main valves replaced at Storm King Dam, Stanthorpe

Southern Downs Regional Council has now replaced aging valves in Stanthorpe's Storm King Dam, completing preparation work for strengthening of the dam wall in early 2012.

The job is the first stage of over $1m worth of upgrades to Storm King Dam required by the State Government.

Director of Engineering Services Peter See said "The dam, currently, is capable of withstanding any major floods that is likely to occur in its lifetime. However, the State Government has decreed that because it is upstream of Stanthorpe, it must be able to withstand the worst flood possible. This flood is unlikely to occur, however, should it occur in the future these works will ensure that Stanthorpe will not be affected by the dam failing.

Mr See said that the valve replacements were not directly related to dam safety but as part of the dam safety upgrade works they were being replaced as a pro-active measure while work crews were focused on the dam.

The 57-year-old valves weigh half-a-tonne each and were replaced in a precision operation that saw trained Council staff working in the enclosed space of the dam wet well.

The wet well controls the flow of water from the dam into the main trunk main supplying the water treatment plant. It's the first time the valves have been replaced since the dam was built in 1954.

Council replaced the main valve which controls the flow of water through the trunk main and is used if water flow from the dam to the water treatment plant needs to be shut off. It also replaced the valve that is used to lower the dam's water level through water release into Quart Pot Creek. "To enable replacement of the valves, theËÅ"wet well' in the dam wall had to be shut down and a by-pass line installed over the dam wall to the raw water trunk main, said Director of Engineering Services Peter See. "The by-pass work was a substantial and complex job requiring multiple pieces of equipment and 20 staff working simultaneously, Mr See added.

To strengthen the dam wall, a structural engineering company specialising in post tensioning work will be contracted to anchor steel cables vertically through the dam wall into the bedrock. "When we do the stabilisation of the dam wall the water level will need to be lowered to half a metre below the dam wall to allow access for the work. Currently the dam is at full capacity, Mr See explained.

This work continues Council's program of maintenance and replacement to water mains around Stanthorpe. Council recently upgraded water infrastructure in the Stanthorpe main street and in 2010/11 Council replaced over 130 valves and hydrants along the Stanthorpe water mains.

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Parking fines increase

Parking fines across the Southern Downs have increased under changes in Local Laws introduced on 1 January 2012.

From this month penalties for parking illegally in a loading zone or a designated disabled parking space have increased to $100. All other parking infringements penalties have increased from $20 to $50.

This is the first increase in parking fines in over 15 years and has been introduced to ensure that people and businesses who need easy and accessible parking are given a fair go, Mayor Ron Bellingham said.

"These fines have jumped significantly to ensure that traffic keeps moving throughout the day giving fair and equitable access to all businesses, Cr Bellingham said.

"If shoppers know that they will be able to get a park, they are more likely to stay and shop in their local community which has a positive economic effect, he explained.

He urged drivers to check the signage when parking and make sure to park legally and within time limits.

Those who ignore the signage will risk being fined.

One hundred and seventeen parking infringement notices were issued over the last two months.

There have been 38 for exceeding a 30 minute limit, 71 for exceeding a two hour parking limit, five for parking in a disabled parking space without a permit and three for parking illegally in a loading zone.

Cr Bellingham urged people to take note of disabled parking spaces and loading zone allocations and leave them for the people who need them.

"Loading zones are for people who need to unload commercial trucks to the businesses close by. When they are used by others it forces those truck drivers to carry goods for much greater distances, which is both difficult and inefficient, Cr Bellingham said.

"Only park in a disabled space if you have a disable parking permit, and ensure that it is displayed visibly on your dashboard, Cr Bellingham said.

Parking patrols only monitor streets in the Warwick CBD which have signage limiting parking times.

Residents who wish to park for longer are encouraged to use the Council car parks in Acacia Avenue and behind the Warwick Town Hall which allow all day parking.

"I appeal to residents to take a sensible approach to parking and think of the economic benefit to the whole community by making Warwick an easy place to park, shop and do business.

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Water marks and information wanted for Stanthorpe and Leyburn flood studies

Residents living on floodplains in Stanthorpe and Leyburn will receive a flood information survey in the mail over the coming week.

Mayor Ron Bellingham said that Council has commissioned Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) to undertake the Stanthorpe and Leyburn Flood Studies.

"These studies will focus on the risk of flooding in Canal Creek and its tributaries in and around the town of Leyburn, as well as flooding of Quart Pot Creek and its tributaries in and around the town of Stanthorpe, and rural areas along the floodplain, Cr Bellingham said.

"The project aims to develop computer flood models of these creeks, quantify and map flood risks within the study area, reduce community vulnerability to flooding, and raise community awareness of flooding risks.

SKM are looking for information on previous floods in these main and tributary creeks and residents are being invited to share flooding information such as records of recent floods, as well as recorded flood levels and property marks with the study team.

Cr Bellingham urged residents with historical flooding information, to fill out the Residents' Survey and return it to Council by 31 January, 2011 or to contact the survey team.

Initially, SKM will collate data on flooding in the area (topographical survey, bridge data etc). This will also include collecting information from the community on previous flooding within the study area. SKM will then use the collated information to build a flood model to represent flooding behaviour in the study area. Based on the flood model, maps of areas at risk of flooding will be produced and presented to the community. SKM will then work with Council and the community to develop options to reduce community vulnerability to flooding within the area.

For more information, contact Engineering Services on 4661 0300 or visit http://www.southerndowns.qld.gov.au/and follow the link to the Flood Study. Residents are also welcome to complete the survey online.

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Stanthorpe waste facility opens seven days

Southern Downs Regional Council announced today that the Stanthorpe Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre will now open seven days a week (except Christmas Day).

It will also be open an extra half an hour each morning and during the summer months it will open for an additional hour in the evening.

Previously the Centre was closed on Tuesdays.

"These longer hours make it even easier for Stanthorpe residents to dispose of domestic, commercial and recyclable waste appropriately, said Tim O'Brien, Acting Director Planning & Environment.

"We encourage people who are self-hauling rubbish to the Stanthorpe facility to actively separate their waste into recyclables such as cardboard, glass, plastic, metal (including white goods), construction and demolition waste and green waste, Mr O'Brien said.

"All of these items are recycled at the Stanthorpe facility, thereby reducing the amount of refuse that goes to landfill and extending the life of our landfill. Sustainability starts with individuals, partnering with Council services.

"Residents are reminded that domestic waste including furniture, refrigerators and stoves can all be disposed of free of charge at the facility.

"People can also come to the Stanthorpe facility to purchase our high quality compost or mulch made from recycled green waste, Mr O'Brien said.

The extended hours are in line with Council's waste management strategy and Corporate Plan goals to improve waste management in the Region.

Opening hours are now:

- Summer (1 Sept - 30 April): 7am - 6pm;
- Winter (1 May - 31 August): 7am - 5pm.

For details on opening hours at any Southern Downs waste facility see http://www.southerndowns.qld.gov.au/.

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WIRAC urges parents to supervise children properly at pool

Southern Downs Regional Council is reminding all parents that children under the age of 11 are not permitted to enter Warwick Indoor Recreation and Aquatic Centre without the active supervision of a person 16 years or older.

The reminder comes as some parents continue to flaunt the rules of the recreation centre by dropping off unsupervised children as young as six.

"It seems to happen every summer and out message to parents is your unsupervised children will not be given access and will be sent home, said Centre Manager, Don Warrener.

"On Saturday a mother dropped her six year old, eight year old and 11 year old at 8.15am to the pool before we even opened and left them there, he said.

"We tried to ring her without success so we called the police to take them home.

"Yesterday four children came in for a swim and two were only six and eight years old, so we had them wait until their mother came in to supervise them.

"In the interests of safety, you must be 11-years-old to swim by yourself and children are not allowed entry unless they are under active supervision of a person 16 years or older, Mr Warrener said.

"There will be no exceptions and parents will be called to collect under age children from the pool.

As a member of the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia's Keep Watch @ Public Pools program, the Warwick Indoor Recreation & Aquatic Centre is keen to promote the importance of adult supervision in preventing children from drowning.

"Lack of direct supervision of a parent or carer while a child is in water has been the main factor in 70% of the drowning deaths at Public Pools, Mr Warrener said.

"As a parent you have a responsibility to look after your own children. Lifeguards do a great job of keeping pools safe but they are not babysitters."

"Children do not understand the hazards that water presents to them he added. "They have no real sense of danger and require a high level of supervision.

"Parents or guardians should actively supervise their children at all times. As such, they should be dressed ready for action, including unexpected entry to a pool.

Mr Warrener made no apologies for WIRAC's campaign to make parents and carers understand the dangers of leaving children unattended at a public pool.

"It only takes a split second for a child to get into difficulty in the water, so give your child all your attention, stay close to them and keep watch to save lives" he said.

WIRAC RULES ARE AS FOLLOWS-

*0 to 5 years old & non-swimmers-A parent of guardian must be within arm's reach of their child.

* 6 to 10 year olds-Constant active supervision is required.

* 0 TO 10 Year olds may be supervised by a person over the age of 16 years.

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National Youth Week Award Nominations 2012

As part of celebrations for National Youth Week (NYW) for 2012 Southern Downs Regional Council Community Youth Worker, Bonita Tyler, has organised two awards nights (one in Stanthorpe and one in Warwick) to celebrate the contributions of young people to the communities across the Southern Downs Regional Council area.

NYW is a joint Australian, state, territory and local government initiative. NYW is coordinated by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, in collaboration with the state and territory government departments responsible for youth affairs.

The theme for National Youth Week for 2012 is 'IMAGINE, CREATE, INSPIRE' and this is exactly what young people can do.

This is the second year that the NYW awards will be held. It is an opportunity for community members, business owners, family, friends and colleagues to nominate and be nominated for awards which acknowledge the contributions Young People make to the development and life of small communities.

"Each year we see 100's of young people volunteer to help with youth and community projects across the Southern Downs and it is great to see some of those people recognised for the time they give our community, Ms Tyler said.

"We would like to encourage everyone to think about a young person who has made a difference in their workplace, sport or community from April 2011 to April 2012.

Nominations are now available on the Southern Downs Regional Council website, or from Town Hall Youth Office, Warwick or Council office, Stanthorpe. Please call Bonita Tyler on PH: 4661 7166 for more information. Nominations close on 12^th March 2012 by 5pm.

The awards night will take place in April 2012 on the evening of Tuesday 17^th April in Stanthorpe at the Civic Centre, and Thursday 19^th April in Warwick at Town Hall. It will be a free night with supper available & all nominees will receive a certificate.

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Southern Downs Regional Council funds $38,927 projects with
Queensland Government Arts funding

Projects including a community artists hub, life drawing and photographic workshops, life stories and dance are among the nine projects in the latest arts grant round from Southern Downs Regional Council, announced RADF Chair, Cr Mally McMurtrie.

"In this round of funding from the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF), a partnership between the Queensland Government and regional councils, we will see people being brought together through music, dance, quilting with a historical message and life stories of the older members in the Southern Downs Region”.

One emerging local artist will get to develop his skills further by attending a photographic portraiture workshop and the recently established Community Artists Hub in Stanthorpe will engage local artists to teach and showcase the artistic talents of people within the Southern Downs community. This particular project focuses on people who have a disability, mental health issues or chronic illness.

A Japanese Amigurumi exhibition is the focus for one successful group, rounding off a very diverse and exciting collection of applications.

"The arts and cultural sector of our community provides opportunities for shared cultural experiences, which can generate a sense of community belonging and pride”, Cr McMurtrie concluded.

Minister for the Arts Rachel Nolan said RADF was Australia's only locally-delivered regional arts grants program.

"In 2011-2012, the Queensland Government allocation to RADF is $2.047 million with another $1.5 million from 55 Queensland councils, meaning more than $3.5 million is available for arts projects across the state,” Ms Nolan said.

"From its beginnings in 1991, RADF now supports more than 3000 arts and cultural projects each year in communities across Queensland.

The Regional Arts Development Fund is a partnership between Southern Downs Regional Council and the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland to support local arts and culture. The successful and long-running RADF program gives communities the flexibility to shape their own arts and cultural priorities.

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