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The Herald team.....Neil LomasEditorKymberley HornAdvertisingMiles NollerNewsLyn CollierAdminSean WhiteNewsAnn LomasManagerPublished by Diamond Valley Enterprises Pty LtdPrinted by APN Print Yandina.All original material is copyright.Significant errors will be corrected as soon as possible.Gavin RyanGraphic DesignQuinn MacdonaldNewsFREECOMMUNITYNEWSPAPERPublished weekly.Delivered to 12,500+ homes,700+ email subscribers andavailable at newsagenciesand other outlets inHighfields, Crows Nest,Goombungee, Oakeyand across the NorthToowoomba region.ADVERTISINGDEADLINES:Bookings:Wednesday prior to publicationMaterial:Thursday prior to publicationPrint-ready artwork:Friday prior to publicationClassifieds:Friday prior to publicationOffice: Highfields Plaza Shopping CentreHighfields Qld 4352Phone: 4615 4416Post: Box 242, Highfields Qld 4352Email: herald@highcountrynews.net.auWeb: www.highcountryherald.com.auLetters to the editor are always welcomeLetters are accepted on the understanding they could be edited for grammar, punctuation,spelling, repetition, verbosity, legal considerations, etc.Herald policy is to retain the writer’s intent in all correspondence, subject to the aboveconditions.The editor may accept or reject letters without further reference to the writer.All letters are treated confidentially.Under no circumstances are they referred to third parties before publication.Preference is given to letters of fewer than 200 words, published with the writer’s name.Pen names are subject to individual consideration.Please include full name, address and daytime telephone number.Updates from theToowoomba RegionLocal Fire BanA local fire ban is in place across theRegion. No fires of any kind may be litduring this time, avoid using power toolequipment that may cause sparks neardry vegetation. Stay up-to-date withlocal fire restrictions by visitingwww.ruralfire.qld.gov.auCurrent estimated water usage figuresThe hot and dry weather has increased the demand on our water resources. We100can all do our part to save water and remember, every drop counts. View the graphbelow to see how your town is going.*Consumption figures correct as at 2 December.MEDIUM LEVELWATER RESTRICTIONS0Litres per person per day25020015050350300250200176LPD150100500171LPDCambooyaGreenmount220LPDCecil Plains319LPDMillmerran114LPDCliftonNobby177LPDVale ViewTarget 175LPER PERSON PER DAY225LPD 242LPD 216LPDPittsworth173LPDYarramanToowoomba BulkWater SupplyHIGH LEVELWATER RESTRICTIONSLitres per person per day250200150100500171LPDCambooya220LPDCecil Plains114LPDCliftonDAM LEVELS31.2%Drive-in movieGet excited for Christmas with thescreening of Elf at Cabarlah SportsGrounds. Sit in the comfort of your car,pack some nibbles and have a fun nightout with the family. Numbers are limited,visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/events for moreinformation and ticket bookings.Which local landscapes do you love and value?Upload your photos of your favourite ToowoombaRegion natural, rural and urban landscapes to wina share of $500 in prizes. For more informationand to enter visit yoursay.tr.qld.gov.auTarget 150LPER PERSON PER DAY177LPDVale View173LPDYarramanLETTERSSalvos standing ready to helpthis ChristmasEMBRACE THE SEASON AND CONNECT WITH LOVED ONESThis year has brought with it some of thegreatest challenges we have faced in Australia.From drought, to devastating bushfires and aglobal pandemic, it would be fair to say that weare all looking forward to a fresh new year.But as we look forward to Christmas and theNew Year, it is important to note that in everysituation that comes our way, there is always goodto be found.On behalf of The Salvation Army, we want toshare with you some of the good we have seenthroughout this year, and our hope for Christmasand the New Year.When the bushfires hit last summer, they weresome of the worst that our country had ever seen.The Salvos saw the impact first-hand, with ourworkers supporting front line first responderseven before the bushfire season had begun asthey worked hard to avoid the devastation thateventually impacted those bushfire-affectedregions.The way that Australians came together duringthe bushfires was remarkable, from practical ongroundsupport to international campaigns, all forthe purpose of helping our fellow Aussies in theirtime of need.During the horrific drought that has ravaged somuch of rural Australia for years, The Salvos haveseen the iconic Aussie spirit in full effect.Our rural chaplains have assisted many ruralfamilies affected by drought and have been ableto provide very practical support, which has beenwarmly welcomed by so many in Rural regions.Rural communities are resilient and tough,and yet our chaplains have been embraced bythese communities, leading to deep and lastingfriendships.COVID-19 has been extremely damaging toour economy, with many families and individualshaving been placed under extreme financial andemotional strain.As we move towards a cashlesssociety, it is noted that giftcards are becoming the newform of cash. Be careful whichtype you purchase.For example, my wife recentlypurchased a card from a Highfieldssupermarket as a birthdaypresent for a friend.SEAFOODTAKEAWAYShop 12, Plaza CircleHighfieldsPH: 4696 8240However, even during a pandemic, a strongthread of mateship has emerged as communitieshave found creative ways to support each other.Local Salvation Army Mission centres have alsobeen busy supporting locals in their communities.Looking forward now to Christmas, the Salvoswant to encourage everyone to embrace theseason and take this opportunity to connect withloved ones.Spending time with family (either in-person oronline), sharing a meal with those you love, takingtime away with friends, or by engaging in the joyof giving to one another this Christmas.The Salvos also know that Christmas can be atime of stress, financial pressure and loneliness forsome Aussies doing it tough.New research conducted for The SalvationArmy’s Christmas Appeal showed that 74 per centof Aussies didn’t know where to go for financialsupport this Christmas.The Salvos want you to know that we are herethis Christmas.If you need financial support, presents for thekids, food for Christmas Day or just a communityto belong to, please reach out to your local Salvos.For the Salvos, the true meaning of Christmasis found in the birth of Jesus. Jesus brought hopeinto the world.A hope for a better tomorrow, a hope that nomatter what we have done or where we have been,we are loved.A hope that nothing can separate us from Jesus’love.So, this Christmas, the Salvos encourage you tofocus on the true meaning of Christmas and enjoythe festive season as we come together with ourfamily and friends.From The Salvation Army, we wish you, yourfamily and friends a very Happy Christmas. -Major Bruce Harmer National Public RelationsSecretaryGift card warningThe card is called The RestaurantChoice with a value of $50to $100 and can only be usedin restaurants nominated by thecompany who issue the card.A list of restaurants where thecard is accepted is only availableon the company website.Following two failed attemptsCHRISTMASSEAFOODWe are nowtaking orders forFresh Seafood forChristmasCooked Prawns,Green Prawns, Bugs, Oysters,Sea Scallops, Barramundi,Snapper & Salmon Fillets.Orders need to be placed before2pm on the 22 Decemberto use the card in Toowoomba,(two separate restaurants) wewere forced to check out theirwebsite, only to find out thereare no restaurants anywhere inthe Toowoomba region whichaccept the card.My wife approached the supermarketfor a refund, only tobe told it is not their policy torefund any gift cards purchasedin their stores, including theirown cards and was also told bystaff they knew that the card wasuseless in Toowoomba.The card company claimsthey have hundreds of restaurantswhere their card is accepted,yet the largest inland city inAustralia has none.According to the card companywebsite, retailers of thecard include Woolworths, Coles,Aldi, Big W, Kmart and AustraliaPost.A lesson learned, no more giftcards in our family in the future.- Peter Edlich, CabarlahCan’t think of what to get for Christmas?Quality trusted brands, better service and best pricesGIFT CARDSNOW AVAILABLEGive the perfect gift when you don’tknow what to buy. Pick up a gift card!K5043 Ball PointHex Key Set• Long series9 piece• Manufacturedfrom S2 steel• HardenedChrome plated& Powder coated(polished andchamferedLincoln K3034 - 4Viking Matte BlackShade 6-13, 3350 Auto darkeningWelding Helmet.Suitable grinding, oxy weldingIndustry LeadingOptics – 4C® LensTechnology, 1/1/1/1Optical Clarity andextra large 12.5 sq.inch viewing area$38 00 $368 00For tips on saving water inside and outside the home, visit 319LPD www.tr.qld.gov.au/waterTo find out more details, call 131 872or visit www.tr.qld.gov.au350300250200176LPDTR_SEC_081220_19x3_HCHResponsibility for election matter in this publication is accepted by Neil Edward Lomas,Shop 11, Plaza Circle Shopping Centre, Highfields, Q. 43522 - HIGH COUNTRY HERALD - DECEMBER 8, 2020 To advertise phone 4615 4416 or email herald@highcountrynews.net.au150100mountrran225LPD 242LPD 216LPDorthomba BulkSupply
INLAND RAILFactual discrepencies in forestry inquiryDeputy Prime Minister seems not to care - Miles Noller reportsOAKEYKINGSTHORPEGOWIE JUNCTIONGORE HIGHWAYWARREGO HIGHWAYCECIL PLAINSCECIL PLAINS ROADTOOWOOMBACECIL PLAINS - MOONIE ROADNORWINBONGEENMT TYSONPITTSWORTHCECIL PLAINS - MOONIE ROADNEW ENGLAND HIGHWAYMILLMERRANThe proposed forestry corridor from Yelarbon toCecil Plains then to Wellcamp Airport and Charlton.OADGORE HIGHWAYYELARBONINGLEWOODMILLMERRANMILLMERRAN - INGLEWOOD ROADThe Deputy Prime Minister’s inquiry into the Inland Rail’sforestry crossing of the Darling Downs contains factualdiscrepancies, according to independent observers.But the Government and ARTC seem unperturbed that some“facts” used might be to the detriment of many landholders alongthe route, and long term users of the rail line when an alternativeis available.A dozen or so professional soil conservationists, who weretrained and worked for the State Government, are questioninginformation used in the inquiry into a potential forestry corridorfrom Yelarbon to Cecil Plains and then to Wellcamp Airport andGowrie Junction.Some of these soil conservationists conducted extensive floodplain studies along the Condamine River and consulted widelywith numerous meetings of landholders.The work of these soil men, whether on the flood plains or inhill country requiring contour banks and waterways, was basedon recognised engineering principles.The science of stubble and crop cover to reduce erosion, stripcropping and the reduction of water velocity and concentration,were part of their regular work.Yet ARTC never consulted with them in the design of theMillmerran to Pittsworth crossing of the Condamine River,preferring the advice of engineers seemingly without localknowledge.These soil men agree that if the Condamine has to be crossed,the Cecil Plains to Mt Tyson route was preferable. And thiscorridor prevented much good agricultural land from beingdissected and cut up by a rail corridor.Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack claimed inToowoomba recently that Federal Cabinet decided in 2017 thatthe rail corridor would be where ARTC wants it, via Millmerran,Brookstead, Pittsworth, Southbrook, Wellcamp and Charlton.So one might ask: “What has been the purpose of all the communityconsultation meetings since?”A further question is: “What was the purpose of the recentinquiry into a potential forestry corridor?”“Was this inquiry simply for political reasons, as though it wasmeant to fudge the result?” some might ask.The forestry corridor report from the Deputy Prime Minister’soffice contains a number of factual discrepancies.• Factual discrepancy 1: Properties affected. The Government/ARTC report claims the forestry route would add 134 propertiestruncated/dissected by Inland Rail. WRONG. Only 60 propertiesare expected to be directly affected on the Yelarbon, Cecil Plains,Wellcamp to Gowrie corridor. Yet on the ARTC route, throughInglewood, Millmerran, Pittsworth, Southbrook, to Gowrie, 260properties are cut through. That is 200 more than on the forestryroute. The Government and ARTC seem uncaring to impact 260properties when about 60 are affected with the alternative forestrycorridor. One farmer has 7km of rail line through his property.Another has a cutting through the farm, 200m long by 30m deep.Others are losing homes and buildings and the viability of somefarms is destroyed.• Factual discrepancy 2: Floodplain length - The soil men claimthe flood plain length on the Millmerran, Pampas, Brookstead toYarranlea crossing is 31km long, not 12km as claimed by ARTC,from their experience with flooding, actual records, and landholderreports.Even the Gore Highway at Yarranlea was cut by flooding in oneevent but is not accepted by ARTC, and there has been flooding fromHall’s feedmill to Millmerran. But this is not accepted by ARTC.The soil men state the floodplain from Cecil Plains is also 31kmlong. Their flood studies show that flooding between the Condamineand the North Branch is rare because a diversion bank takes overlandflow from the plain to the Cecil Plains weir on the Condamine.They claim the numerous irrigation ring tanks on farms hasaltered the flow across this section of the plain, and landholders usethe old rail embankment to help fill their ring tanks. This differentflood behaviour has not been recognised by ARTC.• Factual discrepancy 3: Length of rail line - The soil men acceptthe length of proposed rail line through the forestry to Cecil Plainsand then to Wellcamp and Gowrie is 15km longer, but NOT 20km or30km or 40km as the Deputy Prime Minister’s report claims.The soil men suggest the straight and even run through the forestryand across the Cecil Plains area should be faster for train travel. Theforestry run could also be the basis for a new dingo check fence thatlandholders are asking for.• Factual discrepancy 4: Easy construction, fewer crossings.ARTC and the Federal Government have never studied a forestrycorridor for the Inland Rain, it seems. Maybe they looked at it ona computer screen, but never as a serious option. Yet they claim tohave conducted an inquiry into the forestry option.Those who have inspected the forestry terrain “on the ground”suggest it would be easy going for construction. For about 30km itcould follow a high voltage electricity line.There would be four or five major road crossings of the railline, compared to the dozens of overpasses, underpasses and levelcrossings on the Millmerran Pittsworth run.The Deputy Prime Minister seems not to have compared likewith like, with confusion about the width of the corridor in differentlocations, the batter of the line foundation (two to one or three toone), but ARTC appears to have valued the forestry land five timesas much as the first class farming land.Any hectare of forestry land developed must be replaced with fivehectares in offsets. There are no offsets required for quality farmland.PITTSWORTHNEW ENGLAND HIGHWAYNORWINBONGEEN• Factual discrepancy 5: Confused about route - The DeputyPrime Minister’s inquiry of the Forestry Corridor is full ofconfusions of what actual route it is studying.The soil conservationists group proposed a corridor through theforestry of Yelarbon to Cecil Plains, then from Cecil Plains acrossthe flood plain to Mt Tyson, then to Wellcamp Airport to CharltonMT TYSONand Gowrie Junction.Yet the inquiry “muddies the water” by including a Mt Tyson toKingsthorpe option, indeed it mentions an Oakey section, and itassumes the Wellcamp to Gowrie section goes via its own proposedroute across Brimblecombe Road, and the Warrego Highway nearGowrie Mountain. It seems the Deputy Prime Minister cannoteven get the comparisons correct. So how can the facts be correctlyassessed.• Factual discrepancy 6: Costings not provided - The DeputyPrime Minister could not even put a cost on the proposed ForestryCorridor, so how can a factual comparison be made.It is known that the first serious ARTC Inland Rail corridor acrossthe Darling Downs was referred to as “the base case” or “basecase modified” and proceeded via Inglewood (or the forestry toMillmerran), to west of Pittsworth to the Mt Tyson area, through theAubigny, Beef City, area to the existing railway line between Oakeyand Kingsthorpe.GAIL WALKERSWIM SCHOOLIt’s Great to be open!!!BOOK NOW!!Swimming lessons are a gift for life!To advertise phone 4615 4416 or email herald@highcountrynews.net.auWARREGO HIGHWAYCECIL PLAINSCECIL PLAINS ROADTOOWOOMBAOAKEY KINGSTHORPE GOWIE JUNCTIONDeputy Prime Minister Michael McCormackThe Wellcamp Airport was constructed, and in 2017 the thenTransport Minister Darren Chester decided between four options, this“base case” and three other options which passed next to WellcampAirport. The option chosen by ARTC and the Government is said tocost $140 million more than the base case, and it is believed the costof the forestry option would be in a similar range to the base case.• Factual discrepancy 7: Wrong corridor used - The DeputyPrime Minister’s inquiry assumed the soil men’s option proceededfrom Wellcamp Airport via the ARTC route across WestbrookCreek, across Brimblecombe Road, across the Warrego Highwaybetween Gowrie Mountain and Zimm’s Corner with a seven-metrehigh bridge. But this route destroys too many quality stud andlucerne farms.The soil men proposed the Inland Rail from Wellcamp Airportshould follow the Toowoomba bypass on its western side, andit would then cross under the Warrego Highway at Charlton,proceeding to Interlink SQ on the existing State rail line.The soil men have decided that every transport corridor can bedisruptive. So placing together the Toowoomba bypass and theInland Rail tends to reduce the problem somewhat.But the ARTC engineers do not seem to like that idea, and theDeputy Prime Minister seems to be going along with them.New England Highway-Opposite Tmba Christian CollegeHurry for these!! Christmas Trees Gift Ideas Hydrangeas Diosma Bidens Celosiaand LotsMore!Current trading hours: 8am-4pm Mon-SatLike, Follow & Share us on Facebook for Offers & Specials9 Recreation ReserveRoad, HIGHFIELDS 4630 8548Highfields Largest Plant NurseryHIGH COUNTRY HERALD - DECEMBER 8, 2020 - 3
Page 1: FREEat selectedretail outlets& onli
Page 5 and 6: Author publishes his own storiesAft
Page 7 and 8: Preparing for storm seasonCrows Nes
Page 9 and 10: Oddfellows unite to adopt hospice r
Page 11 and 12: OPENING SPECIALSSaturday 12-Tuesday
Page 13 and 14: Soil conservation era ends with ret
Page 15 and 16: HIGH COUNTRYFARMINGSoils in urgent
Page 17 and 18: Worship TimesCall 4615 4416to adver
Page 19 and 20: GOLFCABARLAH LADIES CHRISTMAS LUNCH

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