MEDIA RELEASE

Council welcomes $5.5m Federal funding

The $5.5 million in funding announced today by the Federal Government for the Gladstone Terminal Upgrade Project has been warmly welcomed by Gladstone Regional Council.

Mayor George Creed said the funding commitment made by the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Anthony Albanese at Gladstone Airport today recognised the significance the Federal Government placed on the Gladstone Airport to the future prosperity of the Gladstone Region.

“On behalf of a grateful Gladstone Regional community, I must congratulate and thank the Rudd Federal Government, Minister Albanese and Federal Member for Flynn Chris Trevor for their foresight in investing in critical infrastructure in regional Australia,” Cr Creed said.

Cr Creed said the Gladstone Airport Terminal Upgrade Project would cost $5.5 million and be additional to the $65 million already committed by Council for the Gladstone Airport Runway Project.

“These airport terminal improvements are critical to the overall reconstruction project as they will enable larger aircraft to bring more passengers to a growing Gladstone industrial centre.”

He said the work involved upgrading and expanding the terminal facility to accommodate increased passenger numbers safely and efficiently.

“The redeveloped terminal building will offer passengers the type of facility now expected of a modern, regional airport.”

The project is expected to create between 70 and 80 jobs and be completed by November this year.

Mr Trevor said that the centre has upgraded to bigger and more conveniently located premises to meet the increasing need for hearing services in the area as a result of the ageing population.

“More than 60 per cent of people aged over 60 have some sort of hearing loss,” he said. “Australian Hearing’s modern new facility provides improved accessibility to hearing services for mature-aged residents in the Gladstone region.”

According to Sandra Howard, Area Manager at Australian Hearing Gladstone, hearing loss is usually gradual and people learn to live with it. She is hoping the new facilities will encourage more people to get regular hearing checks.

Saturday 5th Dec was the annual Calliope Novice Swim Meet which is open to all Central Queensland Swimmers. The children all swam well but most of all enjoying their day. Some of the swimmers were swimming at a competitive meet for the very first time and even attempted distances they have never swam before. There were a great number of personal bests on the day.

Children received ribbons, medals and A Grade Certificates, which now means they have swum fast enough to compete at A Grade Meets. Its was fantastic to see everyone cheering on club members, and other members who didn’t compete turning up to support their team mates.

Gail Sellers presents Madeline O'Sullivan with her medal during the swimming Carnival Saturday 5th Dec	Jake Holmes Boys 8yr Age Champion
The following is a list of Age Champion and Runner up Champions from Western Suburbs Club. Clara Furness Girls 6yr Age Champion Natasha Bahnish Girls 6yr Runner Up Peyton Craig Boys 6yr Age Champion Owen Fortier 6yr Runner Up Thomas Crossley Boys 7yr Age Champion Ally Ware and Bianca Aird, tied for Girls 9yr Age Champion Dean Baade Boys 10yr Age Champion Dominic Walters Boys 11yr Runner Up

Joseph McAlister Boys 13yr Age Champion | Madeline O’Sullivan Girls 12yr Age Champion | Sarah Baade 13yr Age Champion.

Well Done everyone!

CONTRACT AWARDED FOR STAGE 3 OF KIRKWOOD ROAD

Construction of Kirkwood Road (Stage 3) is expected to start early in the new year following the awarding of the contract to Golding Contractors.

Gladstone Regional Council Mayor George Creed said the new road will not only provide direct benefits to the Gladstone Region and its major industries, but also to the broader Queensland economy.

“Once completed in late 2010, the new road will provide a safer, more direct access to the expanding Port of Gladstone and the Aldoga industrial development areas,” said Cr Creed.

The third and final stage will connect with Stage 2 which opened to traffic in February, completing the strategic ring road and providing access to several major industrial areas as well as linking Port Curtis Way with the Bruce Highway.

Federal MP for Flynn, Chris Trevor, said he was pleased the Federal Government is working with the Gladstone Regional Council to support local jobs and to deliver this important election commitment for the people of Gladstone.

“The Rudd Labor Government has provided the Council with $25.3 million to construct Stage 3, a new 2.3 kilometre road connecting Gladstone with Benaraby Road and the Dawson Highway,” said Mr Trevor.

“It will allow trucks to bypass inner city roads, providing a safer traffic environment for the local community. In addition it will take congestion off the Kin Kora roundabout and provide shorter travelling times between Boyne Island, Tannum Sands and Gladstone,” Mr Trevor said.  

“This project is part of $8.6 billion we’re investing under our Nation Building Program towards the construction and upgrade of Queensland’s road and rail infrastructure.”

15 December 2009

Chris Trevor’s office (Kyal Butler)                4972 5465
Gladstone Regional Council (Cale Dendle)    4970 0770

Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards

Saturday evening saw the opening of the 2009 Rio Tinto Alcan Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards.

A large crowd of over 400 saw Mike Dunstan, General Manager Operations Yarwun Alumina Refinery open the exhibition.

The judge, Emeritus Professor David Williams AM, of ANU's Research School of Humanities announced the winners.

This year there were 442 entries which was a 30% increase on the previous event.

Another interesting point is the total prize money this year was an unprecedented $21,450, and the overall prize sponsored by Rio Tinto Alcan was $10,000.

 Attendances on Saturday 7 November:

10am – 1:30pm, including Judge’s Floor Talk:
225 visitors
1:30 – 5pm, including Illustrated lecture:
140 attendances
5pm – 9:30pm,
Official Opening and Awards Presentations: 492

The TOTAL  Number of VISITORS on opening day was 857.

Right Photo - Gail Sellers & the Judge

At a time when women rarely held leadership positions, playwright and journalist, Marian de Forest conceived the idea of a strong network of women in executive positions who would work to take their rightful place in the professions next to men. On 8 November 1919 Bylaws and a Constitution were adopted and the name Zonta was selected

The Zonta Club of Gladstone is holding a Birthday Breakfast at the Yacht Club on Sunday 8 November to celebrate Zonta’s achievements and to honour those women who had the foresight, dedication and tenacity to form such an organization, which, for 90 years, has been tirelessly working to improve the legal, political, economic, education and health status of women worldwide through service and advocacy

Gail Sellers Serves a Funding ACE!

The funding, provided under Council’s 2009 Facility Assistance Grant Program (FAGP), will be matched by the association and used to demolish two existing “humpbacked” or uneven courts, and build four new tennis courts including fencing.

Council’s Parks & Recreation Portfolio spokesperson Councillor Gail Sellers said Council was pleased to be able to work with the association to improve the club’s facilities to allow for increased local participation in the game of tennis.

“With only five courts available, two of which are unsuitable for competition tennis, the club has been severely limited in the past with regards to the number of fixtures it can hold, social play it allows and importantly its coaching capacity,” Cr Sellers said.

“Council had previously identified the need for these works to cater for the increased demands of a growing region, and we’re happy to be able to support this worthwhile project which will no doubt benefit the entire community for many years to come.”

Tannum Sands Tennis Association President Ollie Else said the grant would allow the club to commence construction on the much-needed expansion project in February next year.“

Club members and the community will now able to look forward to playing even more tennis on high quality courts, which will hopefully lead to a higher standard and more a more enjoyable game for both social and competitive players,” Mr Else said.“

This grant has really helped to secure the future of our club and we couldn’t be more grateful to Gladstone Regional Council for their support.”

Under the 2009 FAGP eight organisations were funded a total of $180,000 to put towards infrastructure additions and upgrades, or the purchase of significant items of equipment that relate to improving the capacity of their facilities.

The following is a breakdown of the grants:

Cr Sellers urged unsuccessful clubs, or those organisations who have not yet applied for a Facility Assistance Grant, to submit an application under the program’s next round scheduled to open in September 2010.

“Council’s Sports & Recreation Officers are here to help organisations with the application process to maximise their chances of receiving funding,” Cr Sellers said.

“Officers are more than happy to meet with clubs to give advice on how they can best put forward their case for a grant, so I urge organisations to take advantage of their expertise and submit an application next year.”

Meet & Greet

On Thursday 5th November, Liz Cunningham Member for Gladstone and the Mayor and Councillors of the Gladstone Regional Council met with the Gladstone
Regional Christian Leaders Network.

The afternoon function was held at the
Star of the Sea Parish Hall and was well attended.

The distict Chaplains
were also present and it gave the Councillors the opportunity to speak to
them about their work.

28th October 2009

Our Place Our Plan session was held to encourage residents across the region to have their say on the Regions New Land Use Planning Scheme.

The GRC is in the process of preparing a new planning scheme to replace the three existing planning schemes that applied to the former Gladstone City, Miriam Vale Shire and Calliope Shire Councils.

As part of the initial planning process Council is inviting the community to have their say on how they believe Council should manage future development and growth in the Gladstone Region.

Planning Hotline: 1300 621 922

Time Line

30th November 2009 Have your say!

December 2009 Engagement period

February 2010 Prepare the Statement of Proposals SoP

2012 Council’s Goal to have a new planning scheme during this term of council

24th October 2009

The local Builyan Hall is set to receive an extensive makeover with Federal Member for Flynn Chris Trevor today welcoming a $892,000 investment in the much loved community asset by the Rudd Government.

“Not only is this a great investment in the Builyan community but it is also a great investment in creating local jobs and training opportunities for our kids,” Mr Trevor said.

“The work will be carried out by local organisation Gladstone Area Group Apprentices (GAGAL) and is expected to create 25 local jobs, 5 traineeships and a further 25 work experience positions,” Mr Trevor said.

General Manager of GAGAL Kerry Whitaker said “this is a wonderful opportunity to not only reinvigorate this historic community hall but also to provide much needed training and employment opportunities for apprentices in the region”.

14th October 2009

Blue Care Edenvale Aged Care Facility unveiled an interactive and colourful textured wall painting on Wednesday (October 14) for people with dementia.
Blue Care Edenvale Service Manager Shirlee Tennant said they wanted to add some colour to the dementia wing and the painting was made possible due to a successful grant application through the Regional Arts Development Fund.

The Regional Arts Development Fund is a Queensland Government and Gladstone Regional Council partnership to support local arts and culture.

“The painting depicts a typical Australiana scene with a big old gum tree, creek and lots of colourful bush animals,” Shirlee said.

“The best part about the painting is that the residents were able to get involved and make it their own by hand painting all of the animals or creating them by collage. “The animals were then made into 3D objects. The interactive painting utilised different textures such as canvas or cork and some of the animals were attached to magnets so they can be rearranged on the wall and taken off to play with.
“Local artist Jo Williams did a great job – the residents love it and all want to be facing the painting now,” Shirlee said.
“Blue Care is very grateful for the support through this grant and the residents have received a lot of enjoyment from the painting already.”

14th October 2009

Rental Affordability

Gladstone Big Winner from Affordable Rental Homes Program

Federal Minister for Housing Tanya Plibersek and Federal Member for Flynn Chris Trevor today announced that 46 new affordable rental homes would be built in Gladstone under the second round of the National Rental Affordability Scheme.

Ms Plibersek and Mr Trevor made the announcement at a function with the Gladstone Central Committee on the Ageing, which has won 21 incentives to deliver affordable rental homes for seniors.

These 21 new two bedroom homes are expected to be available for rent in June 2010 and will be especially suitable for local seniors with health and mobility concerns.

The properties will include 3,000 litre rainwater tanks, roof insulation, solar block glass and additional shading to those parts of the home that face the western sun.

Ms Plibersek said that this development in Gladstone shows that great results can be achieved when all three levels of government work together with local industry to provide affordable housing.

“The construction work also provides jobs for local builders and tradespeople, as each dwelling will be newly constructed,” Ms Plibersek said.

“Earlier this week I launched the third round of the National Rental Affordability Scheme, which will deliver more affordable rental homes in the future.”

Mr Trevor said that he was delighted that the National Rental Affordability Scheme was allowing the Gladstone Central Committee for the Ageing to deliver 21 affordable rental homes for local seniors.

“It is terrific that the Rudd Government is investing in affordable housing for seniors in Gladstone,” Mr Trevor said.

“I am also pleased that two other National Rental Affordability Scheme projects in my electorate will deliver 25 affordable rental properties – 10 in Emerald and 15 in Calliope.

“Affordable housing, including for our seniors, has been a major problem in Gladstone for many years and I am grateful that my Government has moved to address the problem.

“This announcement today will bring a sigh of relief to many low income earners, seniors and battlers.

“This is a great result for Gladstone. I am very proud to be part of it and to be making a positive difference to the lives of people in my home town of Gladstone.”

The Australian Government is investing more than $1 billion in the National Rental Affordability Scheme over the next four years.

15th August 2009

Chris Trevor Member for Flynn and Gail Sellers turned the first sod on Saturday 15th August for the construction on Stage One of the much anticipated Agnes Water Community Centre Complex.  Last week, Gladstone Regional Council last week awarded the contract to local construction company Finecorp Industries.

Council's Parks & Recreation Portfolio spokesperson, Councillor Gail Sellers said a total of ten tenders were received for the project, all of which were considered under a comprehensive tender assessment process taking some weeks.

"Finecorp Industries were ultimately decided upon as Council felt they best met the tender selection criteria, and are importantly a local company who have been involved in the housing and construction industry for many years," Cr Sellers said.

"They represented the best value outcome for Council for this very exciting project."

It is expected that construction on Stage One of the community centre will commence in the next four weeks, and the clearing of the building footprint by Council's tree crew has already been done. Our Infrastructure Services will undertake the bulk earthworks for the centre's new car parks, which will include bitumen sealing and kerbing.

Once commenced the two staged construction project will take 12 months to complete.

Chris Trevor Member for Flynn said that the $1.026 million Stage One of the project, funded through the Commonwealth Government Regional and Local Communities Infrastructure Program (RLCIP) in an effort to stimulate additional growth and economic activity in Australia as part of the government's contribution to address the effects of the global economic crisis, will involve the relocation and expansion of the Agnes Water Rural Transaction Centre and the Tourist Information Centre.

Stage Two works on the centre, funded by Council with some support from the Federal Government, will include the construction of a multi-function community facility and library to adjoin the Stage One relocated Rural Transaction Centre.

Cr Sellers urged local residents and visitors to follow any advisory signage once Stage One construction commenced, as "access may be limited in the vicinity of these works at certain times do ensure the safety of the public, construction workers and Council staff".

The completed centre will also include a main hall for large community functions, a large fully equipped kitchen, toilet and change facilities, and smaller meeting rooms.

Q150 Descendants Dinner
Old Town Hall 06/06/09

About 200 descendants of our region's pioneering families partied like it was 1859 at the Old Town Hall on June 6, as part of the Gladstone Regional Council's ongoing Q150 celebrations.

After being officially welcomed by Mayor George Creed and his wife Leonie, Deputy Mayor Gail Sellers and her husband Tony, who were all dressed in period costume, and invited guests were seated in a banquet style setting in the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum's O'Connell Space.

They were welcomed to the country, in both English and native language, by Goreng Goreng elders (and siblings) Jacqueline and Richard Johnson.

Read this article in OLD ENGLISH FONT

Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum Director Pamela Whitlock said the highlight of the Descendants Dinner for her had been "seeing the guests come in, some in period dress, mingling and greeting one another, their enjoyment was palpable".
"All who attended on the night seemed to take much pleasure in the significance of the occasion, and the opportunity to reflect and honour their ancestors by remembering their contribution as pioneers, and how they
helped shape the Gladstone region," she said.
"It was a fantastic way to celebrate the state's 150th birthday, especially as it coincided with Queensland Day." While being entertained by Noel and Wendy Wootton on Piano and Richard Clegg on Violin, guests dined on a three course meal, comprised of shrimp cocktail for starters, roast meat and vegetables for main and ice-cream and fruit for desert, which was
reminiscent of what was served in the Town Hall in 1954 to celebrate the century of the town.
Local historian Paulette Flint regaled guests with a brief history of Gladstone's earliest years, and Councillor Clyde Cameron was on hand to act as master of ceremonies for the much-enjoyed evening.
Special thanks must go to all the Council staff and volunteers who helped make the evening a huge success, including the students from Gladstone State and Toolooa High schools, who welcomed guests to the gallery/ museum at the start of the evening, helped usher them to their seats and acted as wait staff.

Seventeen Seventy Foreshore Opening 23rd May 2009

SEVENTEEN Seventy was the place to be over the weekend, with the official opening of the revitalised foreshore, which coincided with the opening of the Captain Cook 1770 Festival, bringing the small coastal community to life.

Gladstone Regional Council Acting Mayor Gail Sellers described the redevelopment project, made possible with help from the Queensland Government's Q150 Legacy Infrastructure Program, as a "huge success, beyond my expectations".

"The aim of the project was to upgrade the existing coastal foreshore providing a modern open space which attracts visitors to the area as well as providing the existing residents an enhanced area to enjoy the vistas and activities available along the beautiful stretch of Seventeen Seventy coastline," Cr Sellers said.

"And I think, with the response we got from the public on the day, who were overwhelmed by the redevelopment and how it makes the most of the area's natural beauty, we can safely say that the project aims were met and totally surpassed.

"We've managed to showcase the rich heritage values of the area using signage to provide an interpretative insight into Captain Cook's Endeavour visit to Seventeen Seventy, as well as presenting the heritage values of the area."

Cr Sellers said she would like to thank everyone who attended the official opening on the weekend, including Member for Burnett Rob Messenger and local builder Kieran Gibson, "whose team at Gibson Building did a fantastic job on the redevelopment project and took an immense amount of pride in their work".

Premier Anna Bligh, who could not attend the opening personally, said it was a credit to the Council that "they had the foresight to revitalise the foreshore so that it is at the same time accessible and preserved…"

"The interconnecting pathways, decks and viewing platforms with play equipment for children and interpretative signage add to the experience and help make sure the foreshore remains in tact for the enjoyment of people now and in the years ahead," Premier Bligh said.

Redevelopment to the foreshore area includes revegetation of Bank's Bank, the steep embankment along captain Cook Drive, with plants which were identified by Joseph Banks, to create a natural arbour.

Interpretive signs have been positioned at points of interest along the way, and there are also new shaded sitting and picnic areas for families to come and enjoy the scenery.

Cr Sellers said she encouraged locals and visitors to make the trip to Seventeen Seventy to enjoy the area's calm waters and spectacular scenery.

"With this project I feel we've been able to protect the special qualities and provide for future needs without destroying the character which makes it culturally significant," Cr Sellers said.

"In addition we've created these wonderful public areas where families can come and enjoy the peace and serenity of the Seventeen Seventy foreshore, while having a barbeque with friends or taking a walk along the boardwalk."

The Seventeen Seventy Redevelopment Project was funded and supported by the Queensland Government's Q150 Legacy Infrastructure Program on a dollar-for-dollar basis with Gladstone Regional Council.

Redevelopment work involved construction of a boardwalk, decks, platforms, interconnecting pathways, shelters, park furniture, revegetation, building beach accesses, and the installation of lighting, interpretative signage and improved storm water drainage along the Seventeen Seventy Foreshore area.

7th April 2009
Today there were all smiles from the previous Gladstone City Councillors and Chris (CT) Trevor as they heard about an allocation of $25.3 million to finish Kirkwood Road. Stage 3 of the project is from Glenlyon Road to Benaraby Road and will complete the ring road around the city.
The completion of Kirkwood Road will:

1. Ease congestion and time delays at the Phillip Street roundabout
2. Provide vital linkages for outlying suburbs and their residents.
3. Provide alternative and quicker access times for Boyne/Tannum residents.
4. Provide vital infrastructure and jobs for our community
5. Take the burden of funding this Council owned Road away from the ratepayers
6. Take trucks out of the central business district
7. Provide better access to the Port of Gladstone

Monday March 16th 2009

Judy Spence the Minister for Police, Correctional Services and Sport met with Gladstone Community members and during the visit announced $3 million for an extension to the Police Station at Calliope.

You heard it first on the gailsellers.com.au website!

March 2009

On Tuesday afternoon, Gail met Deborah De Williams at the office of The Professionals in Barry Street.

Deborah is a breast cancer survivor and is running around Australia in an effort to raise $300 000. Deborah, her support team of her mother, father, husband, 3 dogs and two pink caravans were in Gladstone to raise awareness.

A team of Gladstone Roadrunners escorted Deborah into the city from Glen Eden and the Gladstone Breast buddies were waiting at the Professionals for Deborah to arrive.

February 2009

Mayor George Creed and his council team are signing up for the Healthy Active Gladstone project.

All councillors signed on and now the challenge is out there.

The Gladstone Regional Council departments, under the leadership of directors have been challenged to gain 100% membership also.

Can they do it?

2009

On the 17th February during a meeting of the Gladstone Regional Council, the school captains from Gladstone South State School delivered morning tea to the Mayor and councillors.

The whole school was fundraising for the Victorian Fire Appeal.

2008

During a visit to the Wartburg State School Awards Night, I met up with

Sunirmalya Symons and Sabine Holt. They were wearing the newly created Friends of the Baffle Basin t-shirt, which proclaims

Keep the Baffle Flowing Free. 

It is part of the campaign to legislatively protect Baffle Creek from any in-stream dam. Sunirmalya and Sabine tell us to attend public events, send emails and letters to politicians, and to wear promotional shirts as these are all ways the general public can get their voices heard.

These t-shirts and more information are available on http://fobb.enviro.org.au.