ISSUE 3 ~ OCTOBER 2013

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Economic Economic LEADERSHIP CHANGESIt is now almost nine months on from the January natural disasters and many agencies, including Bundaberg Regional Council, remain heavily involved in continuing the emotional and economic recovery of our region.

In the past few weeks there has been both good and sad news regarding the personnel associated with the recovery process.

Deputy Commissioner Brett Pointing, the man selected by Premier Campbell Newman to oversee the recovery process in Bundaberg and North Burnett from a State perspective, has been transferred from Bundaberg to pursue a new challenge.

Brett’s contribution has been absolutely brilliant and I know he certainly enjoyed the opportunity to utilise his communication and organisational skills to assist our community through its harshest days.

The liaison the Deputy Commissioner was able to establish between the State Government and Council gave a direct path to decision makers when speedy outcomes were required.

We wish Brett well in his new challenge and welcome Inspector Kev Gutteridge who will now step into the role.

The establishment of a Burnett River Floodplain Action Plan Community Reference Group has been another positive step forward in planning associated with furthering flood resilience for the region.

I was delighted to see that recently retired local Police Superintendent Rowan Bond accepted the role to chair the 11 member community reference group.

Rowan chaired the District Disaster Management Group during the height of the January flood emergency and brings an impressive suite of skills to this new role.

The independence of the group is assured with Rowan at the helm and Council and the community can look forward to some sound results emerging from the deliberations of the Community Reference Group.

The Economic Development Sub Committee will review figures from a recovery survey opened to the public in July. The survey aimed to measure the direct and indirect impacts the natural disaster of January this year had on local industry.

Earlier in the year, Council called on the region’s businesses to tell us about the issues they faced in the wake of this year’s natural disasters by taking part in an Economic Impact Assessment.

The results of the survey, carried out by Council in conjunction with North Burnett Regional Council and supported by the Queensland Government, have now been compiled.

The draft survey results are currently under review by the Economic Recovery Sub-committee who will meet in coming weeks to provide feedback.

It is hoped this study will give both Bundaberg and North Burnett Regional Councils a better understanding of exactly how businesses were and still are affected by the floods and tornadoes.

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A Childers engineering firm is set to reap an economic benefit based on Bundaberg’s Sister City relationship with Chinese city Nanning.

Two Chinese delegations visited the Bundaberg Region in September with agricultural machinery orders expected to be formalized between one group and a Childers businessman.

Coles Engineering in Childers has been approached by Chinese sugar farming interests to produce a quantity of planter bins based on a design created by John Cole.

Bundaberg and Nanning have had a Sister City relationship for 15 years. Council was thrilled to see this relationship result in genuine business opportunities for the region.

Coles Engineering will supply machinery over a two year period in conjunction with another manufacturer from North Queensland. The order is reportedly worth between $1.5 million and $2 million.

The introduction of Coles Engineering to the Chinese businessmen was organized by local agri business operator John Hall who is undertaking a significant amount of work in China.

Key Chinese Government official, Mr Yang Zhoufei, Vice Director of Nanning Investment

Promotion Bureau was welcomed to the region by Bundaberg Regional Council Mayor Cr Mal Forman, Mr Hall and Mr Cole.

“Mr. Yang is interested in a number of opportunities in the Bundaberg Region and has met with several local business operators. He will also journey to Brisbane to meet with State trade officials,” Cr Forman said.

“I think this is an extremely exciting initiative for our region and hopefully is the cornerstone upon which we can build further opportunities.

“We now encourage all business owners throughout our region who would like to meet with Mr. Yang or who have an interest in being part of a trade delegation to Nanning City possibly early in 2014 to contact our Manager, Economic Development Mr Cameron Bisley on 4130 4003 or via email at cameron.bisley@bundaberg.qld.gov.au.”

“It needs to be clearly understood that while we are simply a facilitating agency, Council remains committed to exploring every opportunity to promote economic development. It is up to individual businesses in partnership with entities such as Austrade and Trade and Investment Queensland to further the relationships and discuss specific aspects of any trade negotiations,” Cr Forman said.

CHINESE TIES TURN INTO TRADEAND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

SURVEY SCOPES NATURAL DISASTER IMPACT ON BUSINESSES

LEVEE BANKS AN INITIAL FLOOD RESILIENCE MEASURE

NORTHSIDE SEWERAGE CONNECTION NEAR

COMPLETIONWork on pipes and pits located on either side of the Burnett River is expected to be completed by the end of the month to allow the resumption of waste water disposal from the north side to the East Bundaberg Treatment Plant.

The under river pipe connecting North Bundaberg with the treatment plant was destroyed in the January floods necessitating sewerage disposal to be diverted via an old pipe system across the Burnett Traffic Bridge.

A new pipe 380 metres in length was laid after a hole was bored ten metres under the river bed. Workmen are expected to finalise the required connector pits and pipe work by the end of the month. Cost of the pits and pipe work is almost $244,000.

Removal of the old sewerage pipe has also been undertaken by contractors Marine Constructions.

The old pipe was identified as a boating hazard and has been located, cut into 12 metre lengths and removed from the river. Cost of removal of the old sewerage pipe is $30,800.

The reinstated waste water system is expected to be commissioned in early November.

InfrastructureInfrastructure

NEW AUTOMATIC RIVER GAUGE

INSTALLEDA new automatic river gauge has been installed at Bundaberg as part of a joint project between Bundaberg Regional Council and the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), funded through the State Government.

The upgraded river gauges and new rain gauges will provide BOM with real-time data that is used to develop flood warnings.

This new gauge is the first step towards upgrading the flood warning network on the lower Burnett River.

Over coming months existing river gauges will be upgraded and new rain gauges installed.

Existing river gauges will also be upgraded to VHF “ALERT” systems which will mean these gauges are better able to resist extreme weather conditions.

Tuning into weather warnings is a key action that residents and visitors to the Bundaberg Region should take to be prepared for disasters. The internet and radio are two ways that officials will provide advice and warnings to the community.

As we approach the next storm and cyclone season, take steps now to be prepared:

• • Create and talk about your own household’s emergency plan;

• • Prepare an emergency kit and evacuation kit;

• • Prepare your home by cleaning up and doing some maintenance if required;

• • Tune into warnings.

LEVEE BANKS AN INITIAL

The locations and designs for two levee banks to be constructed in North Bundaberg have been released by Bundaberg Regional Council.

The levees are currently in the design stage but their cost will be offset by a contribution of $800,000 from the State Government.

Proposed locations for the levee banks include Batchlers Road and in the precincts of the Technology Park.

The levee design for Batchlers Road is 750 metres in length while the Technology Park levee is 450 metres.

The levee heights will fluctuate between half a metre and 2.4 metres.

The future of several bores located in the road reserve of Batchlers Road has been discussed with the Department of Natural Resource Management with the department indicating they would be prepared to relocate the bores.

Council is currently sourcing suitable materials for construction of the levees with work to commence as soon as possible.

The installation of the levee banks will create enhanced evacuation routes as well as providing additional resilience for property owners in the designated areas.

Pictured: Technology Park is one of the proposed locations for a levee bank.

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TEDDY BEARS TO PICNIC IN GIN GIN

The excitement will be bearly containable at Dear Street Park, Gin Gin on October 23 as youngsters and their furry friends gather for a Teddy Bear’s Picnic.

The event, hosted by the Gin Gin Neighbourhood Centre, is a great day out for all the family and Council was pleased to support it through in-kind assistance.

The Department of Communities provided funding for the event under the Community Recovery scheme aimed at supporting recovery and building resilience in fl ood aff ected communities in the region.

Queensland Fire and Rescue is bringing along its best teddy Blazer Bear.

The major sponsors of the event are Gin Gin Bendigo Bank, Bundaberg Eye Clinic and Gin Gin Lions Club.

For further details, please call Gin Gin Neighbourhood Centre on 4130 4630.

STUDENTS HELP TOREBUILD HOMES AND

SPIRITS OF FLOOD AFFECTED RESIDENTS

As part of this year’s Scripture Union Queensland Random Acts of Kindness campaign, students from schools across the region are

helping flood affected residents get back into their homes.

SU District Coordinator Lisa Hardie said schools from across the region had been participating in a

gyprock fundraiser which was a Community Rebuild Group initiative to assist residents who

experienced an insurance short fall to return their homes to a safe and habitable standard.

“The schools will raise money to buy gyprock then each of the students will write messages of support and

encouragement on the back before donating it to a flood-affected resident,” Ms Hardie said.

“It will act as a time capsule of sorts and we hope it will lift the spirits of those in our community who have had a tough year as a result of the

natural disasters.”

Door-to-door canvassing of many of the region’s fl ood impacted residents has provided Bundaberg Regional Council with information that has allowed specifi c concerns to be addressed.

A disruption to neighbourhood demographics and a heightened state of anxiety regarding future wet seasons are two common areas of concern raised by residents in fl ood impacted areas.

Bundaberg Regional Council’s Community Development Offi cer/Community Recovery and Resilience, Susan Scarr said clear messages were being received from residents interviewed as part of a Disaster Recovery data gathering exercise.

“Part of the role of the Community Development Offi cers has been to visit a range of fl ood impacted residents and businesses and to gain feedback on individual circumstances.”

Ms. Scarr said many residents required a reassurance that plans are being put in place to address future fl ood events.

“Many people are being hyper-vigilant as the prospect of another wet season draws

near. They also express disappointment that the fl oods have altered the demographics of their neighbourhoods with many people permanently moving out in the aftermath of the fl oods.”

Mayor Cr Mal Forman said it was important that aff ected community members were off ered whatever emotional support they required.

“It’s quite understandable that some people are experiencing anxiety as another storm and wet season draws near,” Cr Forman said.

“However, I can assure all residents that Council has been working diligently on ensuring early warning systems are in place and we will have clearly defi ned evacuation routes in the case of any emergency.”

“Our goal is to have every household in fl ood prone areas identifi ed with information that correlates fl ood heights at monitoring stations downstream of Bundaberg with an expected impact on their property.”

He said Council will have five properly identified flood mitigation options available for State Government perusal by the end of December.

ANXIETY EMERGES AS WET SEASON NEARS

MARINA SITE PIVOTAL TO RIVERSIDE WALKWAYPurchase of a parcel of flood eroded land connecting Council’s riverside walkway is of paramount importance in not only retaining the walkway but also ensuring the stability of the riverbank.

Council is in the process of purchasing the land formerly occupied by Bundaberg Midtown Marina. The impact of the January floods resulted in a significant amount of land subsidance, buildings being destroyed and swept into the river.

Council intends to fully stabilise the area through an engineered solution similar to other stabilised sections along the river.

Once the site is stabilised it will enable the positioning of a new pontoon. The new pontoon will be located in a superior position to the one lost in the floods at a significantly reduced cost.

The stabilisation will also ensure the integrity of the businesses built close to the riverbank at that location.

Pictured: Significant damage and erosion is evident on the site of the former Bundaberg Midtown Marina. Council will undertake clearing and stabilisation work in coming months.

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Administration Centre: 186 - 190 BOURBONG STREET, BUNDABERG

Service Centres at: BARGARA, CHILDERS AND GIN GIN

Council Offi ce Hours: 8.15am to 4.45pm MONDAY TO FRIDAY

TELEPHONE 1300 883 699

EMAIL communications@bundaberg.qld.gov.au

www.bundaberg.qld.gov.au

RAMPSUNDER REPAIR

Repair work on Bundaberg Region boat ramps is progressing with the Kalkie ramp at Kirby’s Wall expected to be the final ramp repaired by December.

Ramps across the region were severely impacted by the high velocity flood waters with work currently being undertaken on the ramps at Burnett Downs and Sandy Hook.

Additional boards will be added to the Sandy Hook Boat Ramp which should extend it by around two metres.

The Kalkie Ramp at Kirby’s Wall suffered significant damage and a dangerous drop off and work will commence soon to have this facility open in time for Christmas boating traffic.

Warnings for BoatiesIn other boating news, a Task Group has been formed to formulate a best practice approach to warning boaties of emergency situations as they arise.

Following the January floods some boat owners express concern that they did not receive appropriate warning of the probable impact of the flood.

A working group involving representatives from Maritime Services Queensland, Gladstone Port Corporation, Bundaberg Port Authority, Council and other agencies will work to identify strategies to ensure appropriate safety, preparedness and warning measures are communicated to boaties.

BOATIES REMINDED TO BE PREPARED

A numbers of vessels in the Town and Distillery Reaches of the Burnett River were sunk, stranded or washed to sea during recent extreme fl ood events.

Maritime Safety Queensland reminds vessel masters and owners that they are responsible for making preparations to evacuate if necessary.

Preparation and forethought are the keys! Watch the conditions, listen to the warnings and act early.

This includes identifying a safe place to shift the vessel and knowing how long you will need to get there.

Understand your vessel and its operational capabilities in deteriorating weather circumstances.

Make sure your vessel is safe and operational.

If you cannot attend your vessel make sure there is a responsible person delegated to make decisions and take necessary action on your behalf.