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24.01.2022 Qld Opens Up to Shut OutSydney. December One is the day Queensland’s borders will open to the whole of NSW and the Chief Health Officer will make a call on Victoria tomorrow and a South Australia decision is pending. Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young says she would also continue to monitor the South Australian situation.... Dr Young also warns that people still needed to continue to come forward for testing as there was an escalation of cases across the world. Any symptom anywhere in the state please just come forward for testing.

24.01.2022 Reward farmers for conservation outcomes Don’t penalise them AgForce CEO Michael Guerin says it’s time farmers were recognised as the ultimate conservationists that they are. And he’s calling For Government at all levels to collaborate with farmers, not fight with them.... Their land is their life and their livelihood and often a family legacy. It’s no exaggeration to say that our industry does more than any other to preserve our natural environment and the multitude of animal and plant species that live with us. Mr Guerin says there’s a genuine commitment from farmers to preserving the unique natural environments. "This makes it even harder to bear the criticisms of some in society - fortunately a small but nevertheless very vocal minority - who claim agriculture is destroying the environment. This is plainly untrue. Not only do farmers feed and clothe us, they expertly manage about 80 per cent of the state's landscape for free. "We think it's about time that farmers and the regional communities they serve and support are compensated for their vital contribution. At the moment, our vital role is not only going unrecognised, it's being punished - it seems government prefers to regulate and penalise producers rather than reward their unique services. He says the Natural Capital concept could be a societal game-changer. "Natural Capital offers a community- and market-driven mechanism to drive the environmental, economic, and social outcomes that society demands." "Things like carbon sequestration, bushfire risk reduction, biodiversity, and native species protection. Placing a financial value on these outcomes ensures they will not only be achieved but that surpassed. Primary producers can offer even more than they are currently doing with the appropriate financial and non-financial support. Queenslanders need confidence that our natural landscapes are managed sustainably and that outcomes will contribute to the health of ecosystems on private property as well as on state-managed public land. We need government to collaborate with - not fight - us to generate the positive environmental outcomes we all seek.

21.01.2022 Arrests following Operation Sierra Phonology, Townsville Four people have been arrested in Townsville including one man who has been charged with more than a hundred child sex offences following the closure of Operation Sierra Phonology. Detectives from the Townsville Child Protection Investigation Unit will allege a 39-year-old man who was employed as a child care worker was indecently assaulting children and recording the offences.... It is also alleged he took images of his victims and distributed them over a number of years. He has been charged with 104 offences including multiple counts of rape, indecent treatment, bestiality, making and distributing child exploitation material and supplying dangerous drugs. He is due to appear in Townsville Magistrates Court on September 29. Police are appealing for anyone else who may have concerns they or their children have been in company of the offender to come forward. As part of the Operation a 33-year-old West End man was also charged in July with 15 offences including six counts of distributing child exploitation material as well as possessing child exploitation material, use carriage service to access child abuse material, producing and possessing dangerous drugs and possessing tainted property. A 38-year-old woman appeared in Townsville Magistrates Court on September 8 in relation to three offences of possessing child exploitation material, distributing child exploitation material and burglary. A 49-year-old woman was cautioned on three counts of bestiality. Investigations are continuing.

21.01.2022 RESEARCH FOR PROMOTION OF LOCAL COMMUNITY EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES Charters Towers Regional Council is undertaking research to help improve the promotion of local community events and activities in the Region. This includes activities that are accessible to the broader community and/or visitors, not those that are only for club or organisation members. We invite you to share your thoughts and ideas with us through this short survey. This will help to ensure that we can better pr...omote the Region's cultural activities, events and programs to you in the future. The survey will take only a few minutes and all information is confidential and used only for research purposes. To complete a survey, click on the link below, or complete a printed copy at Council's Administration Centre, Excelsior Library or Visitor Information Centre by Thursday, 17 September 2020. https://goodthinking1.wufoo.com//ctrc-community-events-an/

20.01.2022 Postal vote applications are open now. With the State Election knocking at our doors, (Oct. 31st), e can from this week apply for a postal vote on the ECQ website here: https://bit.ly/ECQpostal Postal votes close on Friday 16 October and while we can apply for Postal votes form this week the ECQ can’t mail the ballot papers until after candidate nominations close in mid-October.... Electoral Commissioner Pat Vidgen says the option to apply for a postal vote weeks before the start of the election period, will support electors who may not want to vote in person due to COVID-19. We remind electors who applied for a postal vote in March and want to postal vote in October, they need to apply again. The ECQ is also establishing special postal voting arrangements for residents of certain aged care facilities which would usually receive a mobile polling service as a ‘declared institution’. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and to protect vulnerable residents, the ECQ is unable to provide this service for this election. However, the ECQ says it will streamline the postal vote process for these facilities, to make sure it is easy for residents to vote by post if that is their preference. We are planning for an election period with two weeks of extended early voting days and hours, including voting on Saturday 24 October as well as election day voting between 8am and 6pm on Saturday 31 October.

19.01.2022 Health heroes thanked for their hard work with extra leave Queensland Health heroes fighting COVID-19 on the frontline will be recognised during Health Heroes Week starting Saturday 26 September with two extra days leave. The additional two days leave will apply to permanent and temporary full-time health care staff (excluding executives) across Queensland Health, including the Department of Health, Hospital and Health Services and Queensland Ambulance Service staff. Part tim...e staff will be pro-rated. Eligible staff will be able to take the pandemic leave from 1 November 2020 and within two years. Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services Steven Miles says Health Heroes week is an opportunity for Queenslanders to say thanks to the state’s frontline and support health care staff for their hard work to keep Queenslanders safe over the past eight months. This strong health response has helped us avoid the situation we have seen in countries like the USA or Italy, where health systems have been overwhelmed and devastated entire economies. This is one way we can say thank you to all our health heroes for their ongoing and tireless commitment to the pandemic response.

17.01.2022 New mine to bring 1000 CQ jobs The $1 billion Olive Downs coal mine in central Queensland which will create 1000 local jobs has been given the final approvals which means construction of the mine can now start. Pembroke Resources’ Olive Downs Coking Coal Project had been granted the necessary mining leases, the last of the major approvals required for the project to start building the mine.... It’s expected core construction activities at the mine site 40km south-east of Moranbah will begin in 2021 with mining starting as soon as construction is complete. At its peak, Olive Downs should produce up to 15 million tonnes per annum of metallurgical coal, which will be transported by rail to the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal for export to key international markets like Japan, China, India and South Korea. The project is expected to contribute an estimated $8 billion to the local economy and more than $10 billion to Queensland’s economy over its 79-year lifespan. Pembroke Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Barry Tudor says the mining lease approvals were the final approval hurdle to commence the first stage of the project. Olive Downs has already assembled the key elements required to commence construction following the grant of the mining leases, including securing access to power, water, rail and port, even as finance and offtake partners are finalised. Pembroke is committed to providing workers with an opportunity to live in towns near the mine including Moranbah and Dysart and is building sustainable futures for people in the communities in which Olive Downs operates.

17.01.2022 COUNCIL ISSUES FREE DUMP VOUCHERS With The latest rates notices rolling out across the region owners of residential properties within a 50km radius of Charters Towers will also be receiving two free waste vouchers for the first time. The vouchers also commonly referred to as ‘dump vouchers,’ have been introduced by Council to help with the cost of visits to the dump and can be used at the Stubley Street Landfill and Resource Recovery Area. ... The vouchers are valid until the end of the financial year, 30 June 2021. Waste Management Portfolio Councillor Alan Barr says it’s great to see so many positive initiatives take place in the area of Waste Management. In particular, I’m very happy to see free dump vouchers going into the hands of ratepayers to ease the costs of trips to the dump. The introduction of dump vouchers will be in lieu of the annual bulk rubbish collection service, though pensioners qualifying for a concession on their rates can still request a bulk rubbish collection by calling Council, submitting a Customer Request online or emailing [email protected]. Hervey Range residents will continue to be offered a bulk rubbish collection, up to a maximum of two cubic metres, commencing from Monday, 26 October 2020. Hervey Range residents wishing to receive this service should contact Council to make a booking by calling 4761 5300.

16.01.2022 Fatal traffic crash, Cloncurry A man has died following a single-vehicle traffic crash in Cloncurry overnight. Police say that at around 10.30pm, the driver of a white utility travelling on the Barkly Highway 50km west of Cloncurry lost control of the vehicle which then left the road and crash into a ditch.... The driver and sole occupant of the car was declared deceased at the scene. Anyone travelling in the vicinity of the Barkly Highway between 10pm-10.40pm last night and has dashcam footage is urged to contact police. Forensic Crash Unit is investigating.

13.01.2022 LOCAL FIRE BAN FOR CHARTERS TOWERS A local fire ban is currently in place across the Charters Towers region due to fire conditions and weather forecasts issued by the Bureau of Meteorology. Lighting fires in the open is prohibited until 11.59 pm on Monday 30 November.... Some exemptions do apply. Go to https: //www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au/Pages/Home.aspx?fbclid=IwAR2jk4O3BAw0nLG0Wf-dOr6fdcg69qvns5Gqs-0Z4Xq-9UpM-WL0ZxPlkGA If you see a fire, call triple zero (000) immediately.

13.01.2022 Water Park and Pump Track Move Ahead. The final designs for a new water park and pump track in Charters Towers are close to being signed off-Part of the Charters Towers Regional Council 2020-2024 Priority Project Plan. Mayor Frank Beveridge says the projects will further improve liveability in the Charters Towers region.... This water park will be a fantastic development for Charters Towers and will be well used by residents. This is building on our commitment to create recreational spaces that allow for community engagement and promote growth, health and well-being. The proposed location for the Charters Towers Water Park is on the corner of Water and Burdekin Streets. Stage one is expected to cost about $2.8 million and we expect it to be finished by the end of June next year. Funding for the water park is coming from the Works for Queensland (W4Q) program, an initiative of the Queensland Government. Meanwhile work is progressing on a new pump track for Defiance Mill Park. The park’s current BMX track is due to be replaced with a modular track to improve safety and reduce maintenance costs for the council. Funding for the $400,000 project has come from the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program. Mayor Beveridge says the new track will create another recreational space for locals. The modular design means that it will be safe for skateboard, scooter and pushbike riders to use and will significantly reduce maintenance costs for the council compared to the old BMX track. We expect to have the project built the before the end of June next year.

12.01.2022 Storms Likely Tomorrow. The Bureau of Meteorology says we should start to prepare for storms tomorrow. They say severe storms with damaging winds and large hail and heavy rainfall can be expected across inland Queensland from around midday tomorrow.

11.01.2022 Police issue warning following QPS phone numbers used in scams Detectives from the Financial and Cyber Crime Group have issued a warning to Queensland residents about a scam using Queensland Police Service phone numbers to legitimise government or bank impersonation scams. Recent reports indicate the scammers are using a practice known as caller ID spoofing, where they inappropriately manipulate the telephone network to indicate the incoming call is from a different ... number (in these cases a QPS number). This scam involves you receiving a call from what appears to be a trusted or well-known government phone number and the caller impersonating an employee from the organisation (in this case a police officer) to legitimise the scam. The scammer threatens you in relation to an outstanding fine or fee, for example, a debt with the Australian Taxation Office or a warrant for your arrest or deportation. The scammer then demands a form of payment to prevent action against you. While this type of scam has been doing the rounds for some time, police are concerned this version of the scam using a QPS spoofed phone number has an additional layer which may result in more members of the community falling victim. Detective Acting Superintendent Vince Byrnes from the Financial and Cyber Crime Group urged Queensland residents to always be vigilant when receiving phone calls from people asking for money or personal details. Police, or any other legitimate government department or financial institution, will never call you and ask for your personal banking information or payments in gift cards, cryptocurrency or money transfers. It is important to take independent steps to verify a caller’s identity before providing any personal information or payments of any sort, irrespective of the phone number displayed, or who a caller claims to work for." Please make your own enquiries if you do receive a phone call from what appears to be a police station, take down the callers details, find a number yourself and dial it in, rather than returning a call you may have missed or were directed to. If you have received such a call and made a payment to a scammer, contact your financial institution immediately and report the matter to the Australian Cyber Security Centre ReportCyber. "If you did not lose any funds you can still report the incident to Scamwatch."

10.01.2022 Cluster fencing grants The State Government is providing another $5 million dollars in Cluster Fencing grants to drought-declared local government areas. The funds are available through Round 5 of the Queensland Feral Pest Initiative.... Minister for Agricultural Industry Development Mark Furner says landholders wanting to discuss inclusion in Round 5 projects should contact their local government, industry group or regional NRM group. The success of our agriculture sector is a vital part of Queensland’s $8 billion plan for economic recovery from COVID-19, and funding like this will help them build on that success, The closing date for applications is 5PM Wednesday 11 November, to be submitted to [email protected] Further information about the latest round of Queensland Feral Pest Initiative grants, call the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries on 13 25 23 or visit www.daf.qld.gov.au

10.01.2022 28 MAYORS SEEK $200M INVESTMENT INTO REGIONAL ROADS Inland Queensland Roads Action Project (IQ-RAP) Partners are advocating for funding commitments in the lead up to the State election. The IQ-RAP Working Group Chair Cr Rick Britton has sent letters to each political Party to request infrastructure investment commitments over the next four years. At this difficult time in our economy, continuing investment into strategic freight networks will be important for jobs as well a...s industry, tourism and communities. Further investment commitments will allow the vision of IQ-RAP to be realized. The IQ- RAP vision is to increase the quality and accessibility of the inland Queensland road network, contributing to Australia’s productivity, quality of life, safety and equity outcomes. Mayor Frank Beveridge says IQ-RAP Partners have requested commitments from each Party to endorse the Inland Queensland Road Network Strategy, invest $200m into currently unfunded priorities across the 28 local government areas, and progress detailed planning for the identified priorities. By taking a long-term, strategic, and collaborative approach to planning and funding of our major freight routes, IQ-RAP Partners have secured nearly $1.4 billion in funding since February 2016, but there is still more than $3.7 billion of investment required to upgrade the strategic roads and bridges to fit-for-purpose standards across the 28 local government areas that make up 70% of the State. Regional Development Australia Townsville and North West Queensland (RDA) has provided secretariat and project management to IQ-RAP since 2013. The project covers 70% of Queensland across 28 local government areas. Partners include 28 local governments, five Regional Development Australia committees and RACQ. The strategic inland Queensland road network was recognised as being of national significance on Infrastructure Australia’s 2020 Infrastructure Priority List in February 2020, an important step in attracting future investment.

09.01.2022 Cash for Sports. The Charters Towers Regional Council has launched a new grants programme to help the region’s sporting and recreational groups. The Not-For-Profit Sporting and Recreation Support Programme will help eligible groups cover some of their operational costs.... Councillor Graham Lohmann says it’s in response to the significant financial hit some groups have taken because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sporting and recreation groups are part of the fabric that hold regional communities together. They, like a lot of businesses, have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s led to events being cancelled and limited fundraising opportunities, and as a result some groups are facing the very real possibility of folding. Eligible organisations can apply for up to $1,500 excluding GST to help pay for some of their operational costs. That can include electricity, council rates, rent, telecommunication charges, insurance and licencing fees. Councillor Lohmann says the grants will be a boost for those groups finding money a bit tight. Applications are open now and can be used for approved operational costs payable from 1 July 2020 to 30 December 2020. Head to https://www.charterstowers.qld.gov.au//new-support-grants- to determine their eligibility and apply. For more information on the Not-For-Profit Sporting and Recreation Support Programme or for assistance in completing the form, please contact the Charters Towers Regional Council on 07 4761 5300.

08.01.2022 Border restrictions eased This Week What you need to know Queensland border restrictions have now eased, allowing all Queensland residents to travel to the defined New South Wales border zone and return into Queensland. Police want to remind everyone of what the new restrictions now mean.... From 1am, yesterday,(Thursday, October 1), the defined New South Wales border zone has been extended to include further New South Wales Local Government Areas (LGAs): The New South Wales border zone (PDF) has been extended The Queensland border zone no longer exists Queensland residents can travel anywhere in the New South Wales border zone for any purpose New South Wales border zone residents can travel anywhere in Queensland for any purpose. Click here: https://www.health.qld.gov.au//map-border-zones-qld-border The remainder of New South Wales and the state of Victoria remain declared COVID-19 hotspots and are closed to people travelling via road, unless an exception applies, or the individual has been granted an exemption by the Chief Health Officer (CHO). Queensland residents intending on travelling within the New South Wales border zone and re-entering Queensland, will need to apply for the updated ‘X’ pass, also known as ‘Border Zone Resident Declaration Pass’. The eased border restrictions also include, New South Wales border zone residents who have not travelled to a declared COVID-19 hotspot in the last 14 days, to travel anywhere in Queensland for any purpose. Providing false information on the declaration or entering Queensland unlawfully could result in a $4,003 fine or a notice to appear in court. Anyone with information about potential breaches of the Queensland COVID-19 Border Direction should report the matter online or call Policelink on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. For more information including questions and answers about the new restrictions click here. https://www.qld.gov.au/.../public.../border-restrictions

07.01.2022 Time to clean up the Yard-But. With the pre-storm season yard clean up now upon us here’s a timely warning from Ergon Energy. They’re reminding tree trimmers to be aware of overhead powerlines.... Community Safety Manager Aaron Smith says 77 electrical safety incidents involving vegetation management last financial year should serve as a powerful warning. We’ve seen potentially deadly incidents where tree branches and bamboo have contacted powerlines while being pruned, creating an electrical hazard and cutting power to the neighbourhood. "Don’t put your life or someone else’s at risk if there is overgrown vegetation near the service wire that runs to your home or on the footpath near overhead powerlines, consult a professional tree trimmer. Similarly, we’re urging home gardeners not to take shortcuts where powerlines are involved call a professional for your own safety.

07.01.2022 Watch out for online shopping scams this holiday season Losses to online shopping scams have increased 42% this year, and Scamwatch is warning Australians to be careful when buying gifts this Christmas. Scamwatch has received over 12,000 reports of online shopping scams so far this year, with almost $7 million in reported losses.... ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard says with more people shopping online this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, scammers are rubbing their hands with glee this Christmas. She says they are now targeting people doing their Christmas shopping, including in the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. Scammers create fake websites that look like genuine online stores, offering products at very low prices and victims will either receive a fake item or nothing at all. They also post fake ads on classified websites, often claiming they are travelling and someone else will deliver the goods, but the item never arrives, and the victim can no longer contact the seller. Reports of online shopping scams involving consumer goods, such as shoes, phones, computers and toys, continue to be high. But the most common thing people were trying to buy when they were scammed was puppies and other pets. People aged 24 and under reported the highest number of scams involving phones and computers. Watch out for popular products being sold at prices much lower than on other websites and sellers requesting payment through direct bank transfer or cryptocurrency Take the time to consider who you are dealing with and don’t be pressured by special offers. Do your research by checking independent reviews of online stores or the seller’s history on classified websites. Another scam to be aware of if you have made recent purchases online is fake parcel delivery notifications via text message or email. Australia Post will never ask you to click a link to enter your personal details, nor will they ask for credit card details or a fee to deliver your packages, Ms Rickard said. If you have been the victim of a scam, contact your bank as soon as possible and contact the platform on which you were scammed to inform them of the circumstances. Most financial institutions offer a charge back service for credit cards and will dispute a credit transaction with the merchant if they still exist. More information on scams is available on the Scamwatch website, https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/ including how to make a report and where to get help.

06.01.2022 AgForce Urges Support AgForce CEO Mike Guerin is urging all Queenslanders to join Ag Force in its Stand With Queensland campaign as we run up the state election. Mr Guerin says farming has always been at the forefront of Australia’s development, feeding and clothing our growing population while providing an underlying economic lynchpin vital to our prosperity.... Agricultural businesses not only provide for our population but are a significant exporter and contributor to our economy. In 201718, the value of Queensland rural exports alone exceeded $9.5 billion a whopping 12.8 per cent of the State’s total goods exports. He says Governments can, and should, continue to champion Australia’s robust food safety standards and high-quality beef, sheep and goat meats, as well as grains and cane products, over and above all other world supplies. This is more important than ever if, as has been publicly stated, agriculture is to play a significant role in helping lead Queensland, and the rest of Australia, out of its COVID-induced economic gloom and onto the path towards full recovery. COVID has understandably dealt a massive blow to our ability to reach our traditional markets, with many borders around the world still closed and the pandemic far from over. Of course, integral to this are the strong biosecurity systems that protect our planet and ensure agricultural production and ongoing trade. He says agriculture is embedded in our daily life, it is a major contributor to our economy, and it will help sustain our population and those of our export partners in the years to come. It helps connect all Queenslanders urban and rural and is why with the State election approaching you need to join AgForce in its Stand With Regional Queensland campaign. Jump onto our Facebook page to see how you can make sure Government hears you.

05.01.2022 Council Meeting Mayor Frank Beveridge outlines highlights from this week’s Charters Towers Regional Council meeting. facebook.com/ChartersTowersRegionalCouncil/videos/407491150283615

02.01.2022 Flying Fox Management Fires Up Mayor. Mayor Frank Beveridge is calling for a definitive timeline from the State Government for promised flying fox management plans for the region. As part of the Charters Towers Regional Councils’ State Election Priorities program, Flying Fox Management has Mayor Beveridge speaking out.... "When will this relocation happen? When will the State Government step up and take full responsibility for flying-fox management?" https://www.facebook.com/ChartersTowersRegionalCouncil/videos/2773575092966381

02.01.2022 Weir News is Welcome. Charters Towers Regional Council Mayor Frank Beveridge is please3d with news this week from the State Government concerning funding for the Big Rocks Weir. To say Charters Towers Regional Council is delighted with the State Government’s announcement today to commit $30million, subject to a successful detailed business case, to Big Rocks Weir would be an understatement.... The Mayor says the realisation of Big Rocks Weir will mean both provisions of long-term water security to our community and the development of up to 5,000ha of irrigated agricultural land in close proximity to the river, creating over 400 FTE valuable local jobs post-construction. Furthermore, Council looks forward to being appointed the proponent during the construction phase of the Big Rocks Weir project, again pending a favourable business case, to become the ‘masters of our own destiny’ and ensure job security and economic growth for the Charters Towers Region. We also look forward to becoming the owner/operator on completion of the facility.

01.01.2022 More Border Restriction Relaxation Five additional NSW shires will now be included in open borders with Queensland. From next week the shires of Glen Innes, Byron, Ballina, the City of Lismore, Richmond Valley, (inclusive of Casino and Evans Head) will be added to the border zone from 1am on October 1.... Residents in those council areas will also be allowed to travel anywhere in the state without going into quarantine but will have to fill out a border declaration pass. Queenslanders coming back to their home state still need a border pass to return declaring they have not visited a hotspot, but they will not need to quarantine. The new border arrangement will apply to all Queenslanders and those in the specific NSW council areas.