The Lockyer January 12 2022 Page

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AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT RESPONDS TO INLAND RAIL SENATE INQUIRY REPORT The Australian Government has welcomed the opportunity to respond to the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee report into the management of the Inland Rail Project by the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) and the Commonwealth Government. The Government’s response supports 15 of the 26 recommendations contained within the Committee’s report and has reinforced a commitment that ARTC engage with communities and stakeholders, as Inland Rail is further designed and delivered. Inland Rail is a multi-billion-dollar investment that is stimulating growth, supporting jobs and providing opportunities for businesses of all sizes to build capability. The Government, through its $110 billion investment in transport infrastructure, is taking action to build the rail infrastructure needed to help address Australia’s growing freight task. The delivery of Inland Rail is enhancing connections across the national freight and rail networks, creating more than 21,500 jobs at the peak of construction and boosting Australia’s Gross Domestic Product by $18 billion over the next 50 years. Pictured: Drone image of a freight train travelling on the Parkes to Narromine line. CELEBRATE AUSTRALIA DAY 2022 The 2022 Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony will be held at the Gatton Shire Hall at 9am on Wednesday 26 January. Join us to honour our region’s finest and welcome new citizens to the Lockyer Valley. Book your tickets now at lockyervalleytickets.com.au. UPCOMING COUNCIL MEETING The next Ordinary Meeting of Lockyer Valley Regional Council will be held on Wednesday 19 January 2022 at the Gatton Council Chambers commencing at 9am. POSITION VACANT Council is currently seeking applications for the position of: • Organisational Development Advisor (Full Time, Maximum Term up to 12 Months) This advertisement will close on Friday 21 January 2022 at 5pm. To apply, or for further information, please visit the Current Vacancies page of Council’s website. SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN AT LOCKYER VALLEY LIBRARIES There’s plenty on at Lockyer Valley Libraries to keep youngsters entertained these school holidays! To keep up-to-date with the range of activities on offer, check out Lockyer Valley Libraries on Facebook. FACE MASKS AT LIBRARIES, GALLERIES In line with updated advice from the Queensland Government, face masks are now a requirement of entry to our libraries and gallery for all visitors aged 12 years and over. Patrons must continue to use the Check in Queensland app, with help available from our friendly team for those requiring assistance navigating this. Proof of vaccination is not a requirement of entry for our libraries at this stage, however patrons will need to present their vaccination status to access the Lockyer Valley Art Gallery. We appreciate your patience and understanding during these uncertain times. For more information, see https://library. lockyervalley.qld.gov.au Information correct as of 06 January 2022 KEEP UPDATED WITH COUNCIL NEWS BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE OR FOLLOWING US ON SOCIAL MEDIA 1300 005 872 lockyervalley.qld.gov.au DOZENS INFECTED IN AGED CARE OUTBREAK NATHAN GREAVES nathan@thelockyer.com.au A Lockyer Valley aged care facility has closed its doors to the public after becoming ground zero for a COVID-19 outbreak. Tabeel Aged Care in Laidley first closed its doors on Monday, December 27, after a resident who’d been in hospital since Christmas returned a positive COVID-19 test. Contact tracing is still underway, and the source of the resident’s infection has yet to be revealed. Though there was initial hope that this was an isolated case, the numbers of infected staff and residents grew over several days and rounds of testing. As of January 4, the facility reported has 27 positive COVID-19 cases in their staff, and 18 from residents, with two of the infected residents recovering in hospital. Fortunately, with all staff being doublevaccinated, and Tabeel residents also having very high rates of vaccination, very few of the infected are experiencing severe symptoms. To help contain the spread of the virus within the facility, all staff are wearing full face shields and N-95 masks, and are working in the same areas during each shift, to further limit the potential of exposure. Tabeel have also been taking measures to provide activities and assistance for residents, who have had to remain confined to their rooms during the outbreak. Staff have expressed their thanks to local businesses for their contributions to the Tabeel community during this difficult time, with the local newsagency donating magazines, and the local op shop contributing games, books, puzzles and magazines, all to help keep the residents entertained and engaged while they’re in isolation. Though they’re confined to their rooms, residents have reportedly still found ways to interact, playing hallway Bingo and magnetic darts games, and taking part in in-room singalongs. Daily contact is also being made with the families or nominated contacts of the residents who have returned positive results. Representatives from the Department of Health and the West Moreton Public Health Unit have maintained a presence at the facility since the outbreak was first discovered, attending daily meeting and providing essential supplies. Though family and friends of the residents will be unable to visit the facility in-person, arrangements can still be made to speak with loved ones by phone. Advertise in The Lockyer NOW - Call 0411 896 004 THE LOCKYER - Wednesday January 12, 2022 - Page 2
14,000 KILOMETRES AND COUNTING NATHAN GREAVES nathan@thelockyer.com.au Pctured above: The celebration cake for Christine’s achievement. Pictured below: Christine being presented her medal for competition by Runs Of The World founder Travis Ireland. Photos credit: Nathan Greaves. NATHAN GREAVES nathan@thelockyer.com.au Users of local lakes and dams have been advised to be careful of dangers hidden below the surface, in the wake of rain and flooding in recent months. According to the latest data from Seqwater, rain in November and December has raised the levels of some lakes by more than 30%, concealing tree stumps, rocks, and other debris that was previously visible to the naked eye. Seqwater Chief Operations Officer Stuart Cassie has warned waterway users to be mindful of these hazards, as well as unknown debris that may have been introduced to waterways by floodwater. “Striking these submerged hazards can be costly and dangerous for boaters. Vessels may become impaled, capsized, stranded or possibly sink. If you’re unsure, slow down,” he said. “Some lakes like Lake Dyer in the Lockyer Valley, water. Advertise in The Lockyer NOW - Call 0411 896 004 have been re-opened to recreation after being closed for several years due to low lake levels, so we’re reminding visitors to use extra caution when at these sites as lake conditions may have changed since their last time on the water.” He stressed that these dangers can also pose a risk to swimmers. “Swimmers should stick to our designated swimming areas at our lakes and be aware of submerged obstacles or uneven ground underfoot while enjoying a dip,” he said. “And never dive into water where you can’t see the bottom. Lakes and dams can appear safe above water but can be deceptively dangerous so it’s important all visitors play it safe, are aware of the rules, and are mindful of others.” As summer enters full swing and waterway usage is set to increase, Seqwater will be working with the Queensland Police Service, Queensland Boating and Fisheries, and Maritime Safety Queensland to enforce safe and responsible behaviour on and off An old Chinese proverb advises that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and the same is true of the 14,080-kilometre virtual run around Australia recently completed by Laidley local Christine Peach. She first began her Run Down Under journey on January 1, 2016, and on the morning of December 18, 2021, she crossed the finish line at the Laidley Rec grounds with friends and family at her side. Christine’s colossal accomplishment came to fruition through near-daily dedication. “Rain, hail, shine, I’m out there. Very rarely do I have a rest day, I’m just out there clicking over the K’s,” she said. “Ticking off the towns as you go through, each big town you get a little memento, so I’ve got I think six stubby coolers from my trip around Australia, and now I’ve got the bling.” Christine frequently competes in marathons and other events, where she runs under the name Blingchaser, because “if there’s no bling, I don’t run.” Her medal for completing the Run Down Under will join dozens of others in her collection at home. The distance run during these events, and her regular morning and afternoon runs around Laidley, have all contributed to her completion of the virtual around-Australia run. Christine said she originally took up running for weight loss, and after meeting her weight goal, she then chose the challenge of Run Down Under as a motivator to keep running. “The journey’s been fun, full of plenty of shoes, sweat, tears, good times, bad times. There’s always challenges, but I always say make your goal bigger than your excuses, and get out there and get it done.” Numerous friends and family members came out to the park on Saturday morning to run, walk, or ride the final few kilometres with Christine, or cheer on from the finish line, as well as write messages of support… and enjoy a share of the cake afterwards. Despite her love for medals, Christine said her participation in marathons and other running events isn’t about winning or breaking personal bests. “I’m pretty much a motivational runner. I’m not worried about the time, I enjoy picking up the broken runners, getting them home, and celebrating with them. They call me the marathon cougar, because it doesn’t matter where I am, I’m pulling someone in to get across the line with me,” she said.” “That’s why I do it. It’s that love for running and the running community, and what that’s done for me.” She hoped her story will inspire others to rise up and challenge themselves. “I’m always looking for anyone who wants to give a go, wants to have a run. Join me, I’m happy to give some pointers,” she said. “I’m a mum of three, grandmother of one, so age is no limit.” Christine can be found at Blingchaser1 on Instagram, or Christine Peach on Facebook. She extended her thanks to For My Peanuts Clothing, the Atlas running crew, Run Down Under, the Weight Watchers community, and her friends, husband, and family for their ongoing support. “Thank you to all of my supporters. It’s those waves, those beeps on the road, the ‘oh, that crazy lady’s running again’, you guys have had my back.” Though many people would understandably want to take a break after reaching such a massive milestone, Christine is rolling right into her next run, signing up for the virtual run around New Zealand next. At her current pace, Christine could very well accomplish this new goal in just a few years. Run Down Under owner and founder Travis Ireland said Christine’s time of 2177 days was well above average, with less than 300 people having completed the course to date. “The average person on my app takes around 13 years to do it, based on the maths and the yearly stats, that’s the estimate,” he said. He spoke of the decision behind starting the event. “It started in 2014, as a hobby, with just an Excel spreadsheet and an idea. There was no website, there was no structure behind it,” he said. “It was for myself, I need a long-term goal. I personally went through some stuff that I needed to fix in my life, so I did it for me, and I put it out there to see if anyone wanted to join me.” He encouraged other people to challenge themselves and get involved. “We’re basically for everyone, you don’t have to be elite,” he said. “The only rule we have is that it’s not a step-counting app. You have to go out with the mentality of going for a run, or a walk; it’s structured exercise.” To find out more about the Run Down Under challenge, and the virtual routes for other countries, visit www.runsoftheworld. com. WATERWAYS USERS WARNED TO BE WARY THE LOCKYER - Wednesday January 12, 2022 - Page 3
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The Lockyer January 12 2022 Page

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