Herald 20181218

HERALD CAMERA
Carols at Peacehaven Park
Tina and Esy Rudd, with Parsa, Mahsa and Samin, Kearneys Spring, Toowoomba.
Council closes Cooby Dam
Toowoomba Regional
Council has closed Cooby Dam
to the public until further notice.
Toowoomba Regional Council
Water and Waste portfolio leader
Cr Bill Cahill said Council
officers had detected an outbreak
of cyanobacteria (blue green
algae.)
“Council will close entry
gates to Loveday Cove and the
Cooby Dam wall picnic areas
and signage will be put in place
indicating the areas are closed to
the public until further notice.
Cr Cahill said the test results
meant Council had closed the
facility as a safety precaution.
“Council will conduct its
regular testing regime to
determine when the dam can reopen,”
Cr Cahill said.
“The cyanobacterial level
exceeds primary and secondary
recreational contact guideline
limits. The cyanobacteria
represent no risk to drinking
water supplies as they are
removed by the water treatment
and disinfection process.
Popular picnic spot at Cooby Dam
“Council monitors the three
dams on a weekly basis for algae
and numerous microbiological
parameters including E.coli.
“We also test chemical
parameters such as iron,
manganese, alkalinity, hardness,
ammonia, nitrate, colour,
turbidity and phosphate.
“The treatment process is also
closely monitored (daily).
“When the water leaves the
treatment plant we conduct tests
in the distribution system in
accordance with our drinking
water quality management plans.
“These plans line up with
the Water Supply (Safety and
Reliability) Act 2008.
“Even if we are not using
a particular dam, but a test
shows that levels are too high
for primary contact, swimming,
or secondary contact, boating,
we inform Council’s Parks and
Recreation Services branch
about closing a facility to the
public,” Cr Cahill said.
Stanley Croker, 7, Sarah Streatfield, Canberra, Harrison and Cherie Croker and Oscar 10 weeks.
Major link to range crossing officially open
A major connection to the
Toowoomba second range crossing
has been officially recognised with
the opening of the Boundary Street
upgrade on Friday.
The upgrade, which took
about two years to construct, was
officially opened by Mayor Paul
Antonio and Deputy Mayor Cr
Carol Taylor.
Cr Antonio said the project was
designed to provide a connection
from the TSRC to the Torrington
industrial area and that Boundary
Street would play a vital role in
the growth of the region’s transport
network.
He said the project was a
great example of the council and
Queensland Government working
together to create real benefits for
the region.
The upgrade project was predominantly
funded by the council with
support through the Queensland
Government’s Transport Infrastructure
Development Scheme.
The council is also providing a
connection to the TSRC at Mort
Street.
Cr Antonio said the upgrade
from Bridge Street to north
of Hermitage Road included
construction of a new section
of road between Bedwell and
Pedersen streets and a major
upgrade of the Boundary Street-
Hermitage Road intersection.
“Safety at the intersection has
been greatly improved with the
straightening of the old alignment,
widening of intersections and
installation of traffic signals.” Cr
Antonio said.
The project included road
widening in the section from
Pedersen Street to Bridge Street to
create four lanes for the majority
of that section, installation of
street lighting for the length of
the project, significant drainage
upgrades to channel storm
water and overland run-off,
and installation of footpaths or
provision for footpaths along parts
of Boundary Street.
“There has also been significant
landscaping with about 30,000 new
plantings and large sections turfed
or hydromulched,” Cr Antonio said
10 - HIGH COUNTRY HERALD - DECEMBER 18, 2018
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