High Country Herald - July 4, 2017
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
TO THE EDITOR<br />
Letters are always welcome. Please include full name, address and daytime telephone number.<br />
Contributions are accepted on the understanding they could be edited for grammar, punctuation,<br />
spelling, repetition, verbosity, legal considerations, etc. <strong>Herald</strong> policy is to retain the<br />
writer’s intent in all correspondence. The editor neither agrees nor disagrees with sentiments<br />
expressed by correspondents. <strong>High</strong> <strong>Country</strong> <strong>Herald</strong>, P.O. Box 242, <strong>High</strong>fields Q. 4352 or editor@highcountrynews.net.au<br />
Timely reminder - water security<br />
I noticed in a recent council update for the<br />
Toowoomba region that our dam levels are at 59<br />
per cent capacity. We may think that that is good.<br />
There is still plenty of water left.<br />
But, is it good? Each of Toowoomba’s three<br />
dams need a flood event to fill them or a least give<br />
them a major replenishment.<br />
Still fresh in our minds are the 2011 and 2013<br />
floods which is not long ago.<br />
And we are already down to 59 per cent. In the<br />
past, this region has experienced drier periods<br />
over many years' duration.<br />
Youth and the<br />
job market<br />
It is scary when you think one in 10 young<br />
people in the Darling Downs and Maranoa want<br />
a job but cannot get one.<br />
Well, that is sadly the case as youth unemployment<br />
continues to shoot up across Queensland.<br />
The extent of Labor’s jobs crisis has been laid<br />
bare, with new figures showing more than 600<br />
youth jobs slashed from the Darling Downs and<br />
Maranoa jobs market in the past year.<br />
The latest ABS figures now show the region’s<br />
youth unemployment rate at 8.8 per cent, after a<br />
1.9 per cent rise in just the last 12 months.<br />
Statewide, a total of 11,200 young people saw<br />
their jobs disappear in the past year.<br />
All while the Palaszczuk Labor Government<br />
has been at the helm.<br />
Queensland is leading the nation for all the<br />
wrong reasons under Labor, with youth jobs<br />
vanishing in 13 out of 19 regions in Queensland<br />
last year.<br />
These facts irrefutably show Labor’s jobs<br />
budget is nothing more than a con job and<br />
Queensland is being held back by a do-nothing<br />
Labor government.<br />
In contrast to Labor’s inaction, the LNP’s<br />
$100 million Get Queensland Working program<br />
will create up to 20,000 jobs for young Queenslanders,<br />
and reverse Labor’s youth jobs trend by<br />
reducing the cost of working for young apprentices<br />
and offering financial incentives for businesses<br />
who train and retain staff.<br />
Only an LNP Government will create jobs<br />
across Queensland, deliver the vital infrastructure<br />
projects the Darling Downs and<br />
Maranoa needs and Build a Better Queensland.<br />
- Scott Emerson, LNP, Shadow Treasurer.<br />
To find out more details,<br />
please call 131 872 or<br />
visit www.tr.qld.gov.au<br />
Updates from the<br />
Toowoomba Region<br />
Ruthven St Grand Opening<br />
It’s official. The Ruthven Street Streetscape<br />
Upgrade is now complete. From Ruthven St to<br />
Chalk Drive we’ve extended the look and feel<br />
of the CBD. The upgrade includes increased<br />
parking bays, new paved footpaths and artworks.<br />
We’d like to invite you to the official opening on<br />
Friday, 7 <strong>July</strong> from 9am-12 noon at Cathro Park.<br />
Come along and enjoy a BBQ, radio station<br />
giveaways from 6am and fun activities for the<br />
kids. For more info call 131 872.<br />
Environment grants now open<br />
Grants of up to $5,000 are now available<br />
through our environment grant program.<br />
Applications close 1 August. For more info or to<br />
apply online, visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/grants<br />
Fit for Kids!<br />
Keep your kids’ active over winter with fun<br />
school holiday classes happening at Milne<br />
Bay and <strong>High</strong>fields Aquatic and Fitness<br />
Centres. For more info call 4699 6530 or email<br />
aquaticandfitness@tr.qld.gov<br />
Recreation providers<br />
Calling outdoor recreation providers! Do you<br />
run an outdoor recreation activity? Register<br />
your details with us and receive information on<br />
available resources, promotion and upcoming<br />
networking events. Email info@tr.qld.gov.au or<br />
phone 131 872 for more info.<br />
Toowoomba is one of the fastest growing cities<br />
in Queensland with more and more houses and<br />
businesses being hooked up to the same old water<br />
supply - no change since Cressbrook dam was<br />
built in 1983. How much bigger the population<br />
now (and still growing.)<br />
For many people who experienced the situation<br />
before 2011, water restrictions are still fresh<br />
in our minds.<br />
In fact, it was a desperate time, facing the possibility<br />
that Toowoomba could run out of water.<br />
Unfortunately, we could easily face the same<br />
scenario in the not so distant future.<br />
Well, at least we have the Wivenhoe pipeline<br />
to fall back on if and when needed. But is that<br />
the complete answer? Will the supply always be<br />
there if we need it?<br />
Not to mention the exorbitant cost for the<br />
power required to pump it up to Toowoomba<br />
at ratepayer’s expense. A dam built on Emu<br />
Creek could help, but once again, a flood would<br />
be needed to fill it. Then there is recycled water<br />
which also was considered a few years ago, but<br />
which was one of the most divisive issues that<br />
Toowoomba has ever experienced.<br />
It is great that our region ins booming with<br />
such potential for continuing development, but I<br />
just hope that the powers that be are considering<br />
the future of our water supply as seriously as they<br />
are all other areas of development.<br />
At the very least, individual households and<br />
business owners, where possible, can at least be<br />
taking steps even now to harvest their own rainwater<br />
as an insurance for when the time will surely<br />
come that we are faced with a critical shortage<br />
of water once again. - Jim Watson, <strong>High</strong>fields.<br />
Wedding<br />
Expo<br />
pictorial<br />
pages<br />
8 - 9<br />
Toowoomba Camellia Show<br />
Most of our garden’s flowers fade in winter, but<br />
the beautiful Camellia thrives! Joining us at the<br />
<strong>2017</strong> Toowoomba Camellia Show & Garden<br />
Expo on 15-16 <strong>July</strong>, 9am-4pm at the TAFE<br />
Horticulture Centre, Campbell Street. Entry<br />
for the show and expo is $8 OR just $5 for the<br />
Winter Garden OR $10 for both. For more info,<br />
visit www.toowoombacamelliashow.com<br />
Council meetings<br />
The next meetings of Council’s Standing<br />
Committees will be held on 11 and 12 <strong>July</strong><br />
commencing at 9am. The next Ordinary Meeting<br />
of Council will be held on 18 <strong>July</strong> commencing at<br />
10am. All meetings are at City Hall, 541 Ruthven<br />
Street, Toowoomba.<br />
NZ Friendship Tour<br />
We have a sister city relationship with Whanganui<br />
in New Zealand. This year we’re visiting and<br />
we’d like to take you with us! We’ve partnered<br />
with Stonestreets Travel to create a stunning 14<br />
day tour through the North Island. Departing from<br />
Toowoomba’s Wellcamp airport on 7 November,<br />
this legendary tour begins in Auckland and will<br />
show you highlights including New Plymouth,<br />
Wellington, Napier, Rotorua and Paihia before<br />
returning to Toowoomba on 20 November. For<br />
more info or to book, call Stonestreets Travel on<br />
4687 5555 or visit www.stonestreets.com.au<br />
TRC_SEC_040717_HCH_16x4<br />
Dissatisfaction with bus timetable<br />
With regard to the recent<br />
change by Translink to the bus<br />
services, may I bring to your attention<br />
the neglectful frame of<br />
mind by the company to Crows<br />
Nest.<br />
There is only the one example;<br />
allow me now to present<br />
it. Firstly, the 6.20am departure<br />
is simply too early. The next is<br />
10am which now takes 90 mins<br />
to achieve its destination; the<br />
bus terminal.<br />
With regard of a return<br />
trip, the next departure from<br />
Toowoomba is an hour later<br />
which would not be suitable in<br />
the least after the initial lengthy<br />
I am a six year resident of <strong>High</strong>fields and have<br />
noticed a large increase in the amount of rubbish<br />
strewn on the footpaths and roadways of the <strong>High</strong>fields<br />
and Toowoomba district.<br />
I do a walking litter run a few times a week and<br />
have no problem collecting several large bags of<br />
rubbish.<br />
I have contacted the council in regards to trying<br />
to organise volunteers to help out and clean<br />
We have received so much<br />
publicity recently about the proposed<br />
Acland Stage 3 mining development<br />
and local jobs.<br />
However, it appears that no<br />
one has mentioned the jobs that<br />
could be created by the alternative<br />
of new farms.<br />
During the Land Court hearings<br />
an experienced local farmer<br />
was asked about the area<br />
of about 10,000 ha acquired<br />
through the sale of farms to New<br />
Hope at Acland. He said that 20<br />
good farmers could make a wonderful<br />
living there for the rest of<br />
Litter getting worse<br />
Toowoomba but to no avail.oowoomba and districts<br />
are becoming very unsightly. It seems to me<br />
that people are just stepping over the problem.<br />
I would like to put the problem out there and see<br />
if we can form a group here in <strong>High</strong>fields to get<br />
the ball rolling.<br />
My Facebook group is called, Our War on Litter<br />
Waste. - Bill Kelly, <strong>High</strong>fields.<br />
2-4 Plaza Circle Operating Hours:<br />
<strong>High</strong>fields 4352<br />
Mon-Fri: 8.30am-6.00pm<br />
Phone: (07) 4615 5600<br />
& Sat: 8.30am-4.00pm<br />
Fax: (07) 4615 5700<br />
Email: highfields@discountdrugstores.com.au<br />
COMVITA - The original Olive Leaf Extract<br />
• Immune Support &<br />
General Wellbeing<br />
• Coughs, Cold & Flu<br />
• Natural Antioxidant<br />
• Blood Sugar Support<br />
circuitous bus ride.<br />
The following bus to take<br />
home would be the 3.30pm<br />
which takes another 90 minutes<br />
return journey, resulting in a trip<br />
to and from Toowoomba taking<br />
three hours and would mean a<br />
total of six and half hours away<br />
from home, irrespective of what<br />
one had planned.<br />
Previously, the same expedition<br />
would take four hours; in<br />
that a person would leave at 9am<br />
and return home at 1pm - just in<br />
time to make lunch.<br />
The community has depended<br />
on the same timetable for many<br />
a commute over many a year but<br />
Switch to NBN<br />
their days and their children’s<br />
days. Consider the employment<br />
that could be created by the<br />
farmers and all businesses that<br />
serve them.<br />
Consider how the aquifer<br />
water supplies would be secured<br />
for the future. This is in stark<br />
contrast to the lowering of bore<br />
water levels predicted across<br />
more than 22,000 ha as a result<br />
of proceeding with the Manning<br />
West, Manningvale East and<br />
Willeroo pits. What happens to<br />
employment when mining ceases?<br />
• Natural<br />
Flavour<br />
• Peppermint<br />
Flavour<br />
• Mixed Berry<br />
Flavour<br />
I received a generic letter from Telstra advising<br />
that the NBN was coming to <strong>High</strong>fields in the near<br />
future.<br />
This has left me feeling a bit anxious considering<br />
the stories I have read over the past 12<br />
months which have been critical of the NBN, especially<br />
in relation to the reported loss of speed<br />
compared to existing ADSL connections, wild<br />
fluctuations of speed with the NBN, poor installations<br />
and inability to get the provider and/or NBN<br />
Co to rectify the problems.<br />
Our existing ADSL connection speed and reliability<br />
have been great and I am anxious and fearful<br />
that NBN will not maintain that performance.<br />
Are there any households in the readership area<br />
that have any good stories to tell about their NBN<br />
switch? - Steve Kropp, <strong>High</strong>fields - s.kropp@<br />
bigpond.com.<br />
Acland and local jobs<br />
Sitting watching the carpark at Coles Supermarket,<br />
it surprises me how many parents put their<br />
groceries in the car before they put the children<br />
in the car.<br />
I have seen little children run to the back of the<br />
car where mum or dad are and if they don’t stop,<br />
Thank you to all those who have signing the<br />
<strong>High</strong>fields petition. As your strong local voice I<br />
will soon be presenting this Petition to our Mayor<br />
Paul Antonio, so I have a favour to ask.<br />
Could you please forward the link for the <strong>High</strong>fields<br />
Petition to any friends you believe might be<br />
interested in supporting this cause.<br />
Children first<br />
Fresh Picked<br />
500 ml<br />
$24.99<br />
the recent changes have been<br />
without rhyme or reason.<br />
The result of Translink's<br />
changes has been decidedly negative<br />
in its consequences with<br />
not only the elderly being left<br />
feeling confused isolated and<br />
without value.<br />
I urge all those in charge to<br />
fully appreciate what damage in<br />
my local community has been<br />
done to the lives of families,<br />
workers, aged and the disabled<br />
as a result of the much heralded<br />
new bus service.<br />
Please contact Translink 13<br />
12 30 to express your concerns.<br />
- S. M. Thomas, Crows Nest.<br />
Remember that about 10 million<br />
litres of milk are produced<br />
annually from four dairy farms<br />
near Acland. We cannot afford<br />
to risk losing these dairy farms<br />
because of a lack of water.<br />
Consider the potential for exporting<br />
“clean, green” produce<br />
from the Acland area through<br />
Wellcamp airport.<br />
Agricultural development<br />
means more guaranteed long<br />
term employment for Oakey and<br />
district. - Dr John Standley,<br />
Rockville.<br />
the risk of being hit is inevitable by cars trying to<br />
get a park and who cannot see this little person.<br />
Please mums and dads put the kids in the car<br />
first before some little one gets hurt. - Lyn Collier,<br />
Crows Nest.<br />
<strong>High</strong>fields petition<br />
This will ensure that the TRC does not continue<br />
with its plan of forcing people to sell their homes<br />
to open up cul de sacs for a new road network at<br />
<strong>High</strong>fields. toowoomba.north@parliament.qld.<br />
gov.au - Trevor Watts, Member for Toowoomba<br />
North. - Authorised by L. Folo, 66-68 Bowen<br />
Street, Spring Hill Q.<br />
Congratulations to Pony Club<br />
The team at Zeller and Co. would like to congratulate<br />
the Crows Nest Pony Club for a very<br />
successful campdraft held recently. Congratulations<br />
too, to those who organised the day as it is<br />
good to see local events being held.<br />
In addition, we would like to thank the organisers<br />
of the Pony Club for conducting the fortnightly<br />
canteen at Zeller and Co. Rocky Dip sale.<br />
It is magnificent food and the best patty cakes. -<br />
Rick Zeller, Crows Nest.<br />
2 - HIGH COUNTRY HERALD, JULY 4, <strong>2017</strong><br />
To advertise phone 4615 4416