FRASER COAST CENTRAL

Message from the CEO Fraser Coast Regional Council Queensland Australia

Economic Development continues to remain a major focus for the Fraser Coast Regional Council. Following changes to its organisational structure last year, the Council appointed Kim Roberts as the Executive Manager Strategic Integration to help boost the focus on economic development. Mr Roberts has built a five-member team comprised of the Major Projects Team, Sustainability Project Officer, Manager of Economic Development and an Administration Support Officer to spearhead economic development. In addition the entire Executive Management Team will be involved in the major economic development activities of Council. Our former Manager of Economic Development Andrew Jackson has recently left to take up a position with the North Burnett Regional Council. He will be missed but the vacant position will be filled. These changes will help ensure that the Council can respond quickly to new opportunities and has the necessary experienced staff to progress projects as they arise. We are serious about economic development and are determined to provide an environment for sustainable business opportunities. Andrew Brien, CEO, Fraser Coast Regional Council

New residents continue to flock to the Fraser Coast

Population growth on the Fraser Coast is outstripping the state’s average by close to one percent, cementing the region’s reputation as one of Queensland’s most desirable locations to live, work and play. Fraser Coast Mayor Mick Kruger said he was pleased to see that the region was still at the forefront in terms of growth. “That equates to jobs, business growth and opportunities for the region and that is definitely good news in these difficult economic times.” Treasurer and Regional Planning Minister for the Wide Bay Burnett Andrew Fraser announced the figures saying a report – Population growth highlights and trends Queensland 2010 – showed the Fraser Coast was Queensland’s second-fastest growing local government area in 2008-09 outside south-east Queensland with a growth rate of 3.6 per cent. “The Fraser Coast continues to perform well in the population stakes, attracting 3,500 people in the year to June 2009,” Mr Fraser said. “While growth over 2008-09 was a little more subdued than the 3.8 per cent average annual growth seen in the five years between 2001-2006, what’s clear is that the Fraser Coast is one of the most attractive regions in our state.” Population growth highlights and trends Queensland 2010 is now available on the Office of Economic and Statistical Research website www.oesr.qld.gov.au

You’re invited to have a chat with your Councillors

The community briefings held by the Fraser Coast Regional Council are changing. Fraser Coast Mayor Mick Kruger said the briefings had proved very popular, especially in the smaller communities but they have now been rebranded as less formal Community Chats. He said he considered the chats a great opportunity for residents to share their thoughts with Councillors and senior Council staff. The first of the new format Community Chats will be held at 10am in the Broweena Historical Society Museum on September 28. A full list of venues and times and the questions and answers from the July 2010 community briefing at Maryborough City Hall on 27 July 2010 are available on the Council’s website www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au

Fraser Coast -2031 – we know what we want for our future

Kirsty Mackay won two nights accomodation at Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island for sending in her thoughts on how she wants the Fraser Coast to look and be in 20 years time. Fraser Coast 2031 Have Your Say was community consultation at its best says Fraser Coast Mayor Mick Kruger. “We are very pleased with the response and it is reasuring that so many of our residents are thinking about their environment and living conditions and what they want for the region and for their children in the future,” he said. The survey asked what characteristics of the Fraser Coast people liked, what needed improving, challenges for the region and other questions that would help the Council determine a way forward for the region. “I thank all those who sent in their views for this survey. The results are now being assessed and the findings will be published as soon as possible,” Cr Kruger said.

Push to stamp out cyber bullying

Fraser Coast youth worker Annette Hammond (left, with former Junior Councillor Tegan Hodgson, centre, and Councillor Belinda McNeven, right) is leading the Fraser Coast Cyber Safety Project which aims to work with children who have been the victims of cyber bullying or could become cyber bullies. The project is an initiative of the Fraser Coast Youth Crime Prevention Program which is funded by the Department of Communities and builds on work already undertaken by the Education Hervey Bay Cyber Safety Project Group. Ms Hammond plans to develop strategies to help parents and youths combat the growing problem.

Council measures its footprint

The Council has engaged Planet Footprint’s Environmental Scorekeeping Services to capture, analyse and report on Council’s greenhouse gas emissions for the 2009/10 and 2010/11 financial years. The move follows the completion of a ‘snapshot’ audit of Council’s greenhouse gas emitting facilities and activities in 2008/09. Data will be collected on Council’s electricity consumption, fuel use and waste management to determine greenhouse gas emissions. The service will also provide the opportunity for Council to benchmark it’s environmental performance against other similar sized Councils and assist in identifying areas to optimise efficiency, set strategies and meet targets outlined by Council’s Corporate Plan.

Friends of the Gallery bus trips

Hervey Bay Friends of the Gallery have two bus trips before the end of the year - Sunday 10 October: To the Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane, for Valentino, Retrospective: Past/Present/Future. Exclusive to Brisbane, this major exhibition explores the work of celebrated Italian fashion house Valentino, known around the world for its sophisticated, timeless design and glamorous clientele. $56. Sunday 21 November: Shopping jaunt to beautiful Montville on the Sunshine Coast hinterland (cost to be confirmed). Now an annual event, the day trip is a great chance to pick up some gorgeous Christmas presents from the many art, craft and gift shops in this quaint township. For more information contact the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery on 4197 4210.

Help Council support Angel Flight

Every year Angel Flight volunteers fly hundreds of people from rural and regional Queensland to medical treatment centres. From October 17 to 23 a Fraser Coast Regional Council team led by CEO Andrew Brien will join other teams in the Outback Trailblazer fundraising rally across outback Queensland. Team members will take annual leave and will pay all their own expenses but need to raise sponsorship for the minimum $4000 donation to Angel Flight and the cost of fuel. The more money raised, the bigger the donation to Angel Flight. A range of sponsorship packages from $100 to $1000 that offer advertising on the rally vehicle is available from Sponsorship Co-ordinator Kevin Corcoran More …

Bruce Highway pedestrian and cycle overpass opened

Pedestrians and cyclists can now cross the Bruce Highway near Maryborough safely thanks to a $1.6 million overpass that was opened by Fraser Coast Mayor Mick Kruger (left) on Thursday 9 September. The three-metre wide enclosed overpass provides safe passage between the city of Maryborough on the eastern side and TAFE, Riverside Christian College, the railway station and residential developments in Maryborough West. The project, which is part of the Council’s Maryborough Walk and Cycle Strategy, attracted a 50% subsidy from the Queensland Government’s TIDS SafeST road funding program. The project included 1100 metres of new footpaths to link the overpass with mearby schools and community groups.

Enjoy improvements in your parks

Several parks projects have recently been completed or will soon be under way with funding from the Federal Government’s Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program (RLCIP). The program provides economic stimulus through the construction of capital works. The projects include - -Bike racks at Organ Park, in Bill Fraser Park adjacent to the Hervey Bay Sailing Club car park, next to the community tennis courts in Torquay, Pier Park, Lions Park at Burrum Heads and the All Abilities Playground; -Drinking fountains at the All Abilities Playground and Pier Park; -The replacement of exercise equipment near the tennis courts on the Hervey Bay Esplanade; -Shade shelters over seats in four locations along Hervey Bay’s Mobility Links Corridor; -A new barbecue and covering shelter at Gatakers Bay Park to replace the barbecue that was removed recently. This will be additional to the existing shelter. Other projects funded from the Council’s capital program include - -A fence at the Organ Park playground to provide improved safety for families. -A new seat at the Shelly Beach Reserve with landscaping and garden mulching.

What’s on

7 September to 31 September Exhibition by Ben Gerdsen: Beyond Decorative Gatakers Artspace, Maryborough 8 September to 30 October Exhibition by Christine Turner: Suburban Goddess Gatakers Artspace, Maryborough 9 September to 31 September Exhibition by Cezary Stulgis: Sculpted works Gatakers Artspace, Maryborough 24 September Exhibition opening – Wide Bay Potters Association: Collective 35 and John Winch: A Personal Odyssey Revisited 6pm Hervey Bay Regional Gallery 28 September Fraser Coast Regional Council Community Chat. Come and meet your Councillors and senior Council staff. All welcome 10am Brooweena Historical Village 1 October Exhibition opening – Jorge Pujol: Epilogue 6.30pm Gatakers Artspace, Maryborough 3 October Mudskippers Club workshop on story writing with writer and performer Kerrie Marshall 1-3pm Hervey Bay Regional Gallery 6 October FCRC Infrastructure and Environment Committee meeting Hervey Bay Council Chamber 9 October Maryborough Youth Choir concert 4pm $5 Adults, $3 Children/Concession, $15 Family CityHall, Maryborough 13 October Fraser Coast Regional Council Ordinary Meeting at 9.30am followed by Community and Development Committee meeting Hervey Bay Council Chamber 16 October Mudskippers Club workshop on cartooning/illustration with artist Sarah Mitchell Hervey Bay Regional Gallery More Fraser Coast events … Received & published by Henry Sapiecha

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SEE YOU AT THE TORBANLEA PICNIC RACES @ QUEENSLAND

HI,

It’s that time again! Thought I should give you as much notice as possible…

Planning for the annual Torbanlea Picnic Races on Saturday October 16 is well underway. This year, like 2009, Wide Bay Rural Weekly is a major media partner, and will feature the event over a 3 week series, maximizing promotion, especially to encourage bus bookings, camp site bookings, and all those people who prepare for Fashion of the Field.

The biggest advantage of featuring the event in Wide Bay Rural Weekly, apart from the hugely discounted rates on offer, is the insertion of Wide Bay Rural Weekly into Bundaberg’s NewsMail, Fraser Coast Chronicle and Gympie Times, which provides virtually triple the coverage.

This year the event is likely to be bigger than ever, bus bookings already, campsites and stalls booked already, folk from as far as New Zealand enquiring, and now even Corporate Marquee bookings available for groups 10, 20, 40 and more.

We invite you to consider participation, promote your message and support Torbanlea’s biggest fundraiser of the year. I look forward to opportunity to discuss this with you, and will follow up with a phone call in the next few days.

Should you have any query please feel free to contact me at your earliest opportunity.

1. Bus bookings with Wide Bay Transit and G & D Ross Bus Charters
2. Campsite bookings
3. Entries for Fashion of the Field
4. Team entries for the Team Tug of War event
5. Riders and horses nominating for events
6. The newest addition…..corporate tables and marquee bookings…groups of 10, 20 , 40, 50 or more can prebook to have a set place ready for their group, in the shade of a marquee, with table and chairs and includes the gate entry….for just $25 per head…and it’s all set up and cleaned up for you….

For event details folk can email torbanleapicnicraces@live.com.au and for participation in the promotion, and program, supporting this major fundraiser email edith.rutherford@apnnewspapers.com.au

We look forward to your bookings and seeing everyone on the day…

Cheers for now,

Edith Rutherford

APN NEWS & MEDIA

SPECIAL PROJECTS

Mobile: 0409 609 971

Email:edith.rutherford@apnnewspapers.com.au

PO Box 100 Childers 4660

Received & published by Henry Sapiecha

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MORE QUESTIONS ARE NEEDED TO BE ASKED WITH DIRECT ANSWERS

20 April 2010
Companies Annuncement Office
Australian Securities Exchange Limited
MEDIA RELEASE
TIARO COAL TO COMMENCE BULK MINERALS EXPORT OPERATIONS –
SIGNS AGREEMENTS WITH CHINA QINFA GROUP AND BUYING AGENT

The relationship between China Qinfa Group and Tiaro Coal continues to strengthen with the incorporation of a joint venture trading company and execution of a co-operation agreement focussed on developing substantial volumes of export trade in bulk commodities. The initial business focus is on coal.
China Qinfa Group (through its wholly owned subsidiary Bright Rock Holdings Pty Limited) currently holds 13.6 million shares in Tiaro Coal and is now a significant shareholder of Tiaro Coal with a holding of 21%. Shareholder approval was granted at a general meeting of shareholders on 25 March 2010 to increase this interest to 30%.
A joint venture company Australian Minerals Trading Pty Limited (AMT) has been formed to facilitate trade supply negotiations and agreements with suppliers in predominantly the Australian and New Zealand markets. AMT shareholdes are Yuen Hoi Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of China Qinfa Group and Tiaro Coal.
Following completion of the co-operation agreement AMT entered into a service agreement with Australian Commodities Trader Exchange Pty Limited (ACTE) to act as its Buying Agent. ACTE is a specialist procurement organisation.

The service agreement provides for ACTE to:
(a) Source coal supplies in Australia, New Zealand, Russia and other countries as
maybe agreed;
(b) Source iron ore supplies in Australia;
(c) Provide operational & administrative activities associated with coal suppliers and
trade finance providers required to finalise purchase contracts with overseas
buyers including China Qinfa Group; and
(d) Provide miscellaneous services, including identifying opportunities whereby
reputable coalmines require development capital with the ultimate intention to
provide AMT with coal off take capacity for its strategic international shareholder.
The business objective of AMT is to establish a substantial trading house supporting the commodity requirements of its key shareholder China Qinfa Group.

For 2010/2011 financial years a business growth target in excess of a million tonnes of exported commodity is planned and.………..More ASX AMT Tiaro Qinfa Coal Trading

Sourced & published by Henry Sapiecha

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What a great initiative to move these huts into one location

Added benefits & expansion to the existing Burrum District museum

Common sense prevailed with the moving of the mining huts at Torbanlea to the Burrum District Museum at Howard. Not good to see some of the old turn of the century buildings demolished, but we cannot have everything I suppose.

Can’t wait to see the restored huts in Howard when completed.

Was keeping my eyes on a red passion flower vine growing on one of the buildings over a few months as the seeds are hard to come by, but by the time I was aware that the buildings were being demolished when driving by it was a bit late to rescue the rare seeds from the vine as the building was half demolished.

It would have been great if some thought was given to not only the buildings etc but also some of the plants that were at the complex that deserve saving.

To the credit of the demo boys they gave me some leeway to look for some seeds after the demolition but it was a bit late to rescue any.

Early days of demolition @ Torbanlea and removal for re-instatement

@ the Howard Museum presinct.

Pics & story by Henry Sapiecha

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Mr Henry Sapiecha

Dear Henry,

I am writing to inform you that Northern Energy Corporation Limited (NEC) has lodged the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for its proposed Colton mine project with the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) for their review.

We at NEC have made every effort to ensure that we keep all interested community members informed about the proposed Colton mine project. You are receiving this email because you have indicated to us that you would like to be kept up to date about our progress, and you provided us with your email address. We have written you a letter as well, and this should arrive in the coming days.

Activities we have undertaken to inform people about our project include holding community information sessions in Maryborough, Howard and Aldershot, introduction of various feedback mechanisms including the 1800 information line, updated project information on the company website and efforts to promote awareness of the EMP process and the Plan itself to enable community members and other interested parties to comment and provide feedback on the plan.

The EMP for Colton mine project includes reports with baseline studies on all project related issues and highlights measures proposed by NEC to ensure that the project’s environmental impacts are managed appropriately.

DERM will undertake an initial review of the EMP and will advise statutory requirements for further advertising and public comment in due course.

In the meantime, if you are interested in getting a copy of the EMP for your own review you can visit the project website and download a copy for yourself. You will see that there are quite a few files, and some of them are quite large. We have done our best to break them down into small reports and have provided enough detail in the title block to allow you to make a decision about which parts of the report you wish to download.

The address to access the full EMP, including all of the appendices and supporting reports, is:

http://www.northernenergy.com.au/projects/maryborough/environment-manage.html

Queries or comments may be directed to the project

toll free number on 1800 266 296

or email at coltonmineinfo@northernenergy.com.au.

Yours sincerely

Mark Turner

Chief Operating Officer

Northern Energy Corporation

Received & published by Henry Sapiecha

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FEEL FREE TO DOWNLOAD THESE PICS BELOW

LEST WE FORGET

My very small contribution to those gallant men and women who have served or are serving our country.These photos which I had taken on the morning of the 25th April 2010 @ Howard Queensland Australia are available to download for any persons who wish to avail themselves of memories of this event and what it represents.

Distinguished guests mingled with the community and we were all as one humbled by a common thread to honour the fallen

Regards
Henry Sapiecha
PH-0741290152
M-0411896524

Director
Wide Bay District Developments Pty Ltd
Mearcon Developments Pty Ltd
QHL Queensland House and Land

www.fcci.com.au www.fctsc.com.au

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Mining boom boosts Howard

Fraser Coast Chronicle

Stephen O’Grady | 9th March 2010

Henry Sapiecha on his land at Howard.

Photo by Alistair Brightman

A RESURGENT mining boom on the Fraser Coast may be in its infancy but that is not stopping Henry Sapiecha from plotting a Burrum revolution.

Howard is close to Henry’s heart and as the publicity officer of the Burrum and District Chamber of Commerce, he believes that striking before the coal is out of the ground – let alone hot – is paramount for the little town.

“I’m working out a way to reinvent Howard,” Mr Sapiecha said.

“This is an area that should be going ahead. This is the start of a new beginning.

“This can be an important location for the industry during the upcoming decade.”

The Burrum chamber’s economic advisory committee hosted a meeting last week where a Mackay-based mining expert presented an idea of what would be required if mining corporations Santos and Northern Energy get the go-ahead in this region.

“He was talking about thousands of jobs,” Mr Sapiecha said.

“He is into training people for the mines so as not to suck the talent out of the community.

“He spoke about feeling out the community, getting the mining people what they want without disrupting the local community.

“This is about getting apprentices trained and knowing about the mining industry.”

Mr Sapiecha is determined for his town to reap the benefits and is proposing to develop a parcel of land near the Howard railway line into a custom-built trade centre.

His company, Wide Bay District Developments, and Semfield, owned by John Turnbull, own the adjoining sites.

“All areas of the Fraser Coast will benefit. All areas will get work and will interact with the industry in some way.

“But I’m biased; I want this area to be its base.

“This industry will need to be serviced and supported.”

He has set up Fraser Coast Trades and Service Centre at Howard which – aligned with nearby rail and highway infrastructure – can make Howard the hub of a mining boom.

“I want this area to interact with them as quickly as possible.

“They will still utilise services in the whole region but will need a more immediate back-up to service their requirements.

“We want to make it harder for these people not to use this place as a centre.”

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

We would like to thank Steve and the Chronicle for giving us the coverage for the project and for the area generally especially in the light of the existing mining interests and the positive impact it would have on our local economy.

Hopefully more of the same in the near future.

Be aware that lots are available now for purchase as are sheds to be constructed for rent.  VIEW HERE. www.fctsc.com.au

CASH IN NOW ON YOUR BUSINESS BY LOCATING HERE – OR MISS OUT

Published by Henry Sapiecha 10th March 2010

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Results of our AGM elections – 5thOct 2009

Chaired by Councillor Gerard O Connell

……………………………………………………………………………………..

*RETIREMENT OF OUR SECRETARY AND TREASURER

Rhonda Davidson & Bill Brown

………………………………………………………………………………………

*RE-ELECTION OF  PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT

Bill Gosewisch & Mal Chard

………………………………………………………………………………………..

*PUBLICITY OFFICER RE-ELECTED

Henry Sapiecha

………………………………………………………………………………………..

*NEW SECRETARY AND TREASURER APPOINTED

Donna Gibson & Helen Day

………………………………………………………………………………………..

Networking after the meeting

Mal Chard speaks to our new secretary Donna Gibson

Helen Day our new treasurer shares snacks with fellow member

Our president Bill relaxes with members after his election-11th term

………………………………………………………………………………………..

Photos and posting by Henry Sapiecha 7th Oct 2009

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BREAKFAST MEETING GREAT SUCCESS

@ AROUND 200 ATTENDEES @ AT THE BOAT CLUB HB. QLD

LOCAL HIGH PROFILE SPEAKERS ON FRASER COAST DEVELOPMENT PRESENT THEIR CASE FROM COUNCILS VIEWPOINT AND THE DEVELOPERS POSITION.

Further details can be obtained by request [on a need to know basis only] as to transcripted content of proceedings and contents of presentation.

Congratulations on a well organized and successful event .

We as the Burrum Chamber had an opportunity with Henry Sapiecha at the meeting to present the case of the Howard Torbanlea area as the epicentre of growth in providing major services to the entire Fraser Coast because of our strategic location here and our Highway-Electric rail-Power-Water.

The fact is also that here are vast tracts of government owned land where extensive industrial estates could be built, large land parcels for affordable housing for the workforce could be made available and a more suitable airport for conveyancing of goods, materials and people on a larger scale to that currently existing in the Fraser Coast.

This new centre of growth will be within half an hour to all points of the compass from Maryborough, Hervey Bay,Childers and beyond.

The new amalgamated council is now the Fraser Coast which in the long term should be serviced by a more strategically located base central to all villages and towns that they have been entrusted to serve.

Mr King of FCRC has replied that they are in the process of discussing with state government the possibilities and feasabilities of such endeavours in the Burrum area with the intention of utilizing effectively the existing services that Torbanlea and Howard possess.

We at the Burrum Chamber shall keep you posted as we get updates.

The execs of the Burrum Chamber fell justifiably satisfied that our endeavours in promoting this event in conjunction with the other chambers contributed significantly to the success of this breakfast meeting attendance.

The quality of content by the speakers was exceptional and we all thank them for that.

The Burrum Chamber has distributed many hundreds of flyers on the event earlier via an email data base that has been collated over time as well as posting a version of the event in our web site.

To all involved CONGATULATIONS ON A JOB WELL DONE

Published by Henry Sapiecha [Publicity Officer]

1st Oct 2009

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22 September 2009

Howard SES sheds – NOW OPEN

Response from council re our posting

The State Emergency building at Howard has not been closed.

The building is ready for use and SES volunteers do not have to go to use facilities in other towns as reported on the Burrum Chamber of Commerce Website.

The council did not place a sign [above?]on the building warning people not to enter the building and that it could not be used until further notice.

Volunteers did have concerns about the safety of an electrical switchboard at the building.

Those fears were allayed after the Council employed an electrician to examine the switchboard as part of a project to rewire the building to install more lights and so it could operate on power from generators in an emergency.

The electrician told the Council that the switchboard had been added to many times and while it was cluttered and messy, it was not dangerous.

The Council resolved to install a new switchboard rather than add more wiring to the circuitry.

A contractor has been appointed to install the new switchboard and, while they have been delayed, the contractor will start as soon installing the new switchboard as they can.

In the meantime the SES can continue to use the building.

ENDS

Kevin Corcoran
Principal Officer Corporate Communications
Corporate Marketing and Communications
Fraser Coast Regional Council
Telephone: (07) 4197 4500
Mobile: 0409 724 803
Fax: (07) 4197 4455

Our initial posting was as a result of a visit from the recent leader of the SES and an inspection and photos taken of the closure notice and the buildings generally as posted into our site.

No opinion was formed nor any statements made by myself or the chamber outside of the fact that the premises were closed and the members were to go to other locations for meetings etc as stated by the recent SES leader now retired.

Great to see it back on track. WELL DONE.

Saw the lights on again there with some of the lads last night

Received and posted by Henry Sapiecha 23rd Sept 2009

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