29 April, 2010

Agencies point to
digital strategy

The State Library of Queensland and the Queensland State Archives have published a joint strategy for the Government-wide management of digital content.
   The strategy provides supporting evidence for the shared position of both organisations that a Queensland Digital Content Strategy be progressed.
   It was agreed the strategy cover the development and use and/or re-use of digital content, which was fundamental to Queensland preserving and making accessible its digital content.
   The two agencies said it should be a shared responsibility among government, the community and business groups and required State Government support.
   The Library and Archives agreed they had the skills, infrastructure, experience and initiatives relating to digital content, and were in a position to develop a Digital Content Action Plan.
   They said that fostering the creation, use and re-use of digital content was a critical element to achieving the economic and cultural goals of present and future Queenslanders.
   A Statement of Intent established the policy context within which digital content was being created and managed around the world, identified the challenges and opportunities for Queensland and outlined a joint response by the State Library and State Archives.
   The overall aims of a Queensland Digital Content Strategy would include, among other things, the encouragement and protection of digital content creation, the easy discovery and availability of digital content and greater sharing and re-use of digital content.
   Initially, a Digital Content Action Plan would be developed, supporting the core business aims of both organisations.
   In the medium term Government stakeholders would be briefed with the ultimate goal of a Queensland Digital Content Strategy.
   The 20-page Statement of Intent published y the Library and Archives could be accessed at www.archives.qld.gov.au

29 April, 2010

Trade representation
could be big deal

Queensland is to be the first Australian State to appoint a trade representative in Brazil, the largest and most economically developed country in Latin America.
   Treasurer, Andrew Fraser said the trade representative would be appointed within the next 18 months.
   He said Queensland was the most active Australian State in Latin America and has already announced the appointment of a trade representative in Santiago, Chile.
   “Brazil’s growing position as an economic powerhouse and as the largest economy in Latin America, offers strong business opportunities and potential for increased trade,” Mr Fraser said.
   “Over the past decade, Brazil has risen from being Queensland’s 18th largest merchandise export market to become our ninth largest market.
   “Brazil received merchandise exports from Queensland worth more than $1.1 billion in 2008/09 – representing a 66 per cent increase in just two years.”
   He said permanent, on-the-ground representation in Brazil would be the key to growing Queensland’s trade and investment links with Latin America, following up and supporting the work already being done by the State’s Trade and Investment Commissioner for the Americas, based in Los Angeles.
   Mr Fraser said Brazil’s diversified economy was ranked 10th largest in the world, and there were potential opportunities for Queensland exporters in coming years - particularly with the activity in the lead-up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

29 April, 2010

Transport training
keeps on truckin’

A Department of Transport training project has won an award for excellence at the National Trucking Industry Awards.
   Around 120 job-seekers have been trained under the Department’s Get Into Transport and Logistics program and almost half had found jobs in the transport industry.
   Treasurer and Minister for Employment and Economic Development, Andrew Fraser said the project took out the Training Excellence category at the National Trucking Awards.
   “This project received $360,000 funding from the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative and was delivered to job-seekers across Queensland through the Department of Transport and Main Roads,” Mr Fraser said.
   “Participants received two months training and will receive up to six months support in searching and applying for jobs in the industry.”
   Minister for Transport, Rachel Nolan said the project’s partnership with the Queensland Trucking Association and the Queensland Bus Industry Council contributed to its success.
   “Industry involvement in developing and running projects like this ensure unemployed people learn the skills employers want,” Ms Nolan said.
   This year the project delivered training in Townsville, Cairns, Bowen, Mackay, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay and Brisbane.
   She said the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative was part of the State Government’s $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan which aimed to provide individuals and industry with the skills and workforce for the 21st Century.

29 April, 2010

Gambling strategy
hits the jackpot

A policy framework for cutting gambling-related problems adopted by the Government in 2002 has been found to be extremely effective.
   An evaluation of the Queensland Responsible Gambling Strategy, has been instrumental in Queensland’s diminishing problem gambling prevalence rate according to the Minister Responsible for Gaming Regulation, Peter Lawlor.
   Mr Lawlor said in 200,1 problem gambling affected 0.87 per cent of the Queensland population. In the most recent figures this had fallen to 0.37 per cent.
   He said the Strategy outlined the Government’s framework for addressing the potentially adverse impacts of gambling and the evaluation measured its success in achieving its goals, ensuring the Government’s commitment to minimising harm from gambling was appropriate and responsive to the needs of Queenslanders.
   “While stakeholders and experts in their field have reacted extremely positively to the strategy and its aims, there’s always room for improvement,” Mr Lawlor said.
   “As a result of this evaluation, the Queensland Government will focus on key priority areas, such as continuing to explore effective ways to respond to problem gambling in Indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.”
   He said the national Productivity Commission released its final gambling inquiry report to the Australian Government earlier this year.
   “While we await the public release of this report, the strategy evaluation shows that Queensland is well placed to contribute to any nationally agreed response as a member of the Ministerial Council on Gambling,” said Mr Lawlor said.

29 April, 2010

Bidders in market
for a good port

The Port of Brisbane is for sale on a 99-year lease.
   Treasurer, Andrew Fraser said a bidding process had begun with the sale expected to be completed by the end of the year, subject to market conditions.
   “The Port of Brisbane is the most accessible multi-purpose cargo port on the east coast and is ideally placed to take advantage of the growing Asian and Pacific markets,” Mr Fraser said.
   “It was private sector investment that unlocked the growth potential of the Brisbane Airport, which has seen 12,000 jobs created, more than $1.2 billion in new infrastructure investment, and for the fifth year in a row, the title of Australia’s number one airport,” he said.
   “The port is already well-positioned to reach similar heights.”
   Mr Fraser said the Government remained committed to putting the infrastructure needs of Queenslanders before the needs of big business and shipping companies.
   “That is why we are leasing the Port of Brisbane.
   “We need to be focusing on schools, roads and hospitals, and leave running a port to its natural owners – the private sector.”
   By leasing the Port, Queensland will retain ownership of the land and infrastructure – but transfer the expense and risk of operating a commercial shipping port to the private sector.
   The competitive bidding process will involve three stages: expressions of interest will be sought from suitably qualified parties; bidders will be shortlisted and asked to provide indicative bids; bidders will then undertake detailed due diligence assessments before providing the State with their final binding bids.
   Mr Fraser said all bidders would also be subject to requirements of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and approvals if necessary and any international bidders would also need to meet the requirements of the Foreign Investment Review Board.

29 April, 2010

Cabinet goes to town
on regionalisation

A Cabinet-led consultation process on regionalisation has been announced by the Premier, Anna Bligh.
   Ms Bligh said Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries would be sent out to visit regional areas and host forums in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Toowoomba, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Bundaberg and Mount Isa.
   “We want to encourage more of the 2,100 people coming to Queensland each week to settle in the regions,” Ms Bligh said.
   “We’re considering how we can influence more people to call the regions home and are developing a plan to make that happen to better manage future growth.”
   She said this was the focus of the Queensland Growth Management Summit in Brisbane in March.
   “Regional Queensland is a great place to live,” Ms Bligh said.
   “Our research shows one in 10 new Queenslanders who settle in South East Queensland would be prepared to make the regional shift if the incentives were right.”
   She said one incentive being considered for this year’s State budget was a $3,000 boost to the First Home Owner’s Grant for people buying homes outside South East Queensland.
   She said some regional Mayors had already suggested moving more Government Agencies to regional Queensland.
   Ms Bligh said in addition to discussing regionalisation, the travelling Ministers would also take the opportunity to talk to local community leaders about their views on daylight saving in South East Queensland.
   “At the Queensland Growth Management Summit I committed to developing a Queensland Regionalisation Strategy, for consultation by the end of the year,” Ms Bligh said.
   “The discussion at the forums will feed into the policy development of that consultation paper and I will be very interested to hear what ideas and feedback are generated.”

29 April, 2010

Health in bed with
Defence Force

Queensland Health and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to govern their already-strong working relationship.
   Under the terms of the memorandum, Queensland Health and the ADF are to work together to “identify opportunities that are of mutual interest and potential benefit to the parties”.
   A Military Surgical Team (MST) is to be embedded in the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH).
   The team will consist of up to four medical specialists who would be employed as ADF members at RBWH for nine months but also be available for deployment anywhere in the world at very short notice for the other three months.
   Chief Executive of Metro North Health Service District, Keith McNeil said the ADF and RBWH already had a great working relationship.
   “This MOU will give us further scope to capitalise on that relationship within the Metro North District and beyond,” Professor McNeil said.
   “Beyond the ADF benefiting from Queensland Health expertise, they bring to the table a plethora of skills honed in the most trying of medical circumstances.”
   The ADF and Queensland Health will also explore the possibility of Queensland Health providing access to training opportunities at military facilities for medical and nursing staff.
   Executive Director at RBWH, David Alcorn said it was a momentous occasion in the relationship between the hospital and the defence Force.
   “This forging of strong working ties will not only enhance the skills of our staff but creates tremendous opportunities in areas such as research and training,” Dr Alcorn said.

29 April, 2010

Rail access to
steam ahead

QR’s rail access regime is to be considered for certification by the National Competition Council (NCC).
   NCC certification provides access seekers, infrastructure operators and other parties – including potential QR National investors - with continuing certainty about how access will be regulated.
   Treasurer, Andrew Fraser said the application would be in accordance with the State’s obligation to seek certification of the access regime by 31 December under the COAG Competition and Infrastructure Reform Agreement.
   “A new Draft Access Undertaking was submitted by QR last week to the Queensland Competition Authority, with new safeguards for miners and operators,” Mr Fraser said.
   “While the State Government welcomes this, we will take that Undertaking’s safeguards further.
   “As part of the QR National privatisation we are committed to further strengthening our regime.”
   Mr Fraser said the Government would soon release further legislative proposals to ensure even more transparent operation, thereby creating an environment even better suited to competition.
   “Proof of the existing regime’s strength is clear,” he said.
“Already a competitor is successfully operating in the market and they are talking optimistically about their own growth.”
   Mr Fraser said the Government was targeting an application for certification in the third quarter of 2010.
   “We want competition and the efficiencies competition delivers,” he said.
   “The amendments will be centred on reinforcing existing protections in the regime.”

29 April, 2010

WorkSafe awards
in safe hands

Entries are now being accepted for the 2010 Work Safe Awards.
   The awards, run by the State Government, recognise and reward innovative ideas, leadership and commitment to workplace health and safety.
   Minister for Industrial Relations, Cameron Dick urged companies and individuals leading the way in injury prevention and safety at work to take advantage of the opportunity to be recognised for their commitment to excellence in workplace health and safety.
   “These awards are open to all Queensland organisations and individuals, with $5,000 in prize money up for grabs for entrants to put towards a health and safety initiative in their workplace,” Mr Dick said.
   He said a total of 113 workers died while working in Queensland in 2008-09 and more than 10,800 workplace safety issues were raised during 2009.
   “The 95,500 workers’ compensation claims made during 2008-09 mean that many workers spent time in a hospital or didn’t make it home to their families and loved ones because of workplace safety incidents,” Mr Dick said.
   “The awards recognise some of Queensland’s safest businesses and are a great opportunity for workplaces to showcase their safety initiatives and be proud of their achievements.”
   The awards program has five categories including: best solution to an identified health and safety issue; best individual contribution to workplace health and safety; and best solution to an identified electrical issue.
   Nominations close on 9 July and the winners will be announced on 26 October during Safe Work Australia Week.

29 April, 2010

Car washers in lather
over green program

The Queensland car washing industry has joined the Department of Environment and Resource Management’s ClimateSmart Business Associations Program.
   Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, Kate Jones said every year up to 900 million litres, or 360 Olympic-sized swimming pools, of contaminated waste water flowed into Brisbane’s stormwater systems from home car washing.
   “I believe it’s incumbent on professional car wash companies to make sure this contamination is not occurring in their industry,” Ms Jones said.
   She congratulated the Australian Car Wash Association (ACWA) for joining DERM’s new ClimateSmart Business Associations Program – an extension of the successful Ecobiz program.
   “DERM will work with ACWA to develop a sustainability program they can deliver to car wash businesses for smarter energy, water and waste management,” The Minister said.
   “In this modern age, where every drop, every kilowatt and every kilo of waste counts, sustainable business practice has never been more important.”
   She said Queensland businesses were operating in an environment of increasing resource costs, and a greater awareness of how activities affected the environment.
   “Stormwater drains run into rivers, estuaries and bays, endangering surrounding wildlife and ecosystems, and contaminating water supplies,” she said.
   “Choosing a sustainable car wash facility, or washing your car on the grass and not on the driveway, can help prevent run-off into the stormwater drains and help keep our rivers, streams and beaches healthy.”

29 April, 2010

Gabba kicks goal
for development

A 10ha block of land at Woolloongabba in Brisbane has been declared an Urban Development Area and can now be developed by the Urban Land Development Authority (ULDA).
   Premier, Anna Bligh said the site was just a kilometre from the Brisbane CBD but was under-utilised and unappealing.
   “Last month we released the proposed route alignment for the Cross River Rail which confirmed a future rail station in the Woolloongabba area,” Ms Bligh said.
   “This means the site will be extremely well served by public transport because there already is an existing busway to complement the planned rail station.”
   She said it was the right time for the ULDA to get on with the detailed planning to transform the area into a vibrant place people would want to call home.
   “Participants at the Growth Management Summit said we should get on with delivering higher density development around major public transport hubs, and this site is a perfect opportunity to create a great new community,” she said.
   “It will include affordable housing, and will have a diverse mix of apartments, shops, restaurants and other commercial buildings.
   “We expect there will also be short term accommodation for people recently discharged from the nearby Mater and Children’s Hospitals but who still need to be nearby.”
   Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Stirling Hinchliffe said the ULDA would complete a concept master plan for the area within 12 months.
   “In the meantime, an Interim Land Use Plan will protect the area from premature or inappropriate development,’’ Mr Hinchliffe said.
   “The ULDA is looking to identify sections of the site for possible early release to the market in 2011 and we expect the area as a whole will be transformed over a 10 to 15 year period,” he said.

29 April, 2010

Ministers put bite
on fire ants

The continuing battle to eradicate fire ants has won national support with a meeting of Primary Industries Ministers from around the country agreeing it should be properly funded.
   Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland, Tim Mulherin said the funding would allow the continuation of the effective treatment program and the development of remote sensing technology to eradicate fire ants.
   “Scientific trials have been conducted in the use of high-tech imagery for the purpose of detecting fire ant colonies using remote sensing technology,” Mr Mulherin said.
   “The securing of ongoing funding allows the completion of this testing.”
   He said the data was being analysed by staff from Biosecurity Queensland and the University of Sydney, with preliminary results expected in November.
   Mr Mulherin said the National Management Group would now consider the detail of Queensland’s $21 million funding proposal for the 2010-11 financial year.
   “While the remote sensing technology is refined over the next two years, an aggressive containment program will be deployed so fire ants do not spread further,” he said.
   While the area of infestation has expanded, the level of infestation remained low and Queensland remained confident that eradication was feasible.
   “This has been the wettest summer we’ve had since eradication started in 2001 and conditions have been perfect for fire ants to spread,” the Minister said.
   “We’ve recently trained an additional 64 fire ant field staff, bringing the number of staff fighting fire ants to more than 150.”

29 April, 2010

Colourful ideas for
Greenspace Strategy

Proposals such as ‘off leash’ dog parks, expanded trails along waterways, and an online location directory, have already been suggested for the State’s Greenspace Strategy but there is still time for more.
   Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Stirling Hinchliffe has issued a reminder that the final deadline for comments and ideas is 7 May.
   “There has been overwhelming support for the proposed draft actions with submissions from Queenslanders flowing in,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
   “These bright ideas will be taken into account when the Queensland Government is preparing the final strategy.”
   He said there had been more than 3,000 hits across the website since the draft was launched on 27 March.
   “The Draft Queensland Greenspace Strategy provides a guide to future planning and development of green space in Queensland,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
   “In the Toward Q2 [development plan for the State’s future] we said we wanted to protect 50 per cent more land for nature conservation and public recreation by 2020.
   “That means we need up to 40,000 hectares of new green space and public recreation land over the next 10 years.”
   Some measures in the Draft Queensland Greenspace Strategy include promoting additional green space by making new parkland mandatory on all new housing developments; a State-wide inventory of land available for green space by the end of this year; working with private land owners to identify green space opportunities and the identification of opportunities for green space in the State Government’s capital building program.

29 April, 2010

Call to silence
bike noise laws

The Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) has recommended that noise laws regulating off-road motorbikes be abandoned as they are not working.
   The laws, introduced into the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000 in 2006 gave police and the courts greater enforcement powers to target motorbike riders who created excessive noise in off-road areas.
   In a review of the laws, the CMC received more than 400 public submissions and consulted with key stakeholders and interest groups.
   Director of Research and Prevention at the CMC, Margot Legosz, said the noise laws had done little to change the situation, and that punitive measures were not the answer.
   “The burden of resolving noise problems has long been left to the police, but this has proven ineffective for a number of reasons,” Dr Legosz said.
   “The enforcement scheme is overly complex and flawed by legal ambiguities, and the investigative requirements and administrative processes are onerous.”
   She said police were given limited guidance in interpreting the laws and faced difficulties intercepting riders as well as balancing competing policing priorities.
   She said that further amendments to the policing powers would only be a band-aid solution.
   “As urban development expands, riding areas decrease and the popularity of off-road motorbike riding increases, and there is little doubt that community frustrations will be exacerbated,” she said.
   “The CMC has recommended that the current noise laws be repealed and replaced with a series of enforcement strategies which respond to the characteristics of the problem,” Dr Legosz said.
   “These would be tailored to the needs of communities where off-road motorbike noise is an issue. A one-size-fits-all strategy won’t work.”
   The CMC also recommended that several State and Local Government groups responsible for managing trail bike riding initiatives be abolished and a Ministerial taskforce and advisory committee be created to provide a whole-of-Government response to managing off-road motorbike riding in Queensland.

29 April, 2010

Dredging call doesn’t
scratch the surface

Minister for Transport, Rachel Nolan has dismissed calls from the owners of super yachts on the Gold Coast for additional dredging work, preferring to accept the advice of her Department instead.
   Ms Nolan said the Government did not intend paying for the work which would only benefit two per cent of boat owners.
   “It’s a fact that currently 98 per cent of boats registered on the Gold Coast can navigate existing channels,” Ms Nolan said.
   “Owners of these boats – and other Gold Coast taxpayers who don’t own a super yacht – should not be shelling out for those super yacht owners who are demanding deeper dredging.”
   She said the Department of Transport had undertaken significant dredging studies in the area to ensure adequate channel heights and widths.
   “One of the consistent recommendations from these studies is that industry should make a contribution,” the Minister said.
   “Instead of contributing their fair share, these owners and manufacturers of super yachts are pushing for taxpayers to subsidise a deep dredging program – which would only benefit them.”
   She said they were calling for about 750,000 cubic meters of additional dredging at a cost of about $18 million.
   “We are doing our bit to ensure the majority of boat owners can enjoy the Gold Coast waterways,” Ms Nolan said.
   “It’s now time for the other two per cent of super yachts owners and the super yacht industry to stop passing the buck and start contributing their fair share.”

29 April, 2010

Wellbeing Centres
feeling better

The Federal Government has announced a $2.4 million program to upgrade four Wellbeing Centres in Cape York.
   The funding will expand facilities and provide the Aurukun Wellbeing Centre with two additional counsellor positions, as well as an additional meeting and counselling room and a staff house ($885,000). Mossman Gorge Centre will have enhanced meeting and counselling facilities, and a car parking space ($302,000).
   Hope Vale Centre with be able to provide an additional staff house and space for meeting and counselling facilities ($536,800).
   Details of the expansion of the final centre, at Coen, will be announced soon.
   According to the Minister for Indigenous Health and Rural and Regional Health, Warren Snowdon, the Wellbeing Centres were established in mid 2008 as part of the Cape York reform trial, and were designed to help address concerns from Cape York Elders and Leaders about deteriorating social and economic conditions.
   Mr Snowdon said there had been a positive response, with a steady increase in client numbers.
   “In most communities involved, more than a quarter of the local population are making use of the facilities,” Mr Snowdon said.
   “That has increased the demand for services, and has resulted in the need for this extra funding to expand services.”
   The Wellbeing Centres are designed to meet the social and emotional wellbeing needs of people affected by, or involved in, drug and alcohol misuse and related family and domestic violence issues.
   Mr Snowdon said they provided a comprehensive range of drug and alcohol, mental health, domestic violence and general counselling services.

29 April, 2010
Annual meeting for QPSU
The annual meeting of the Queensland Public Sector Union will be held at the TLC Building, 16 Peel Street South Brisbane, on Thursday 27 May at 12:30pm.
   Among the items of business is the consideration of Life Membership for Terry Crimston and Fay Jeppesen.
   RSVPs may be sent to alex@qpsu.org

Health chief defends vaccine
Chief Health Officer at Queensland Health, Jeannette Young said the Pandemic H1N1 influenza (human swine flu) is safe and effective.
   Adverse reactions in Western Australian involved the seasonal flu vaccine and not the human swine flu vaccine.
   Dr Young said that while the Australian Government was advising all immunisation providers not to administer seasonal flu vaccine to children five years of age, this made it all the more important for everyone, including children five and under, to be vaccinated against human swine flu either at one of the free school clinics or with their GP.

Bridge opens up for naming
The Second Gateway Bridge is to be named on Sunday, 16 May.
   On that day the bridge will be opened to the public for the first time, providing the only opportunity to walk across it one week before it opens to traffic.
   The Gateway Upgrade Project is Australia’s largest bridge and road project.

NSW joins tourist campaign
A joint campaign to attract more Latin American tourists to Australia is to be run by Queensland and New South Wales.
   The $200,000 campaign will consist of print, television, online and outdoor advertising.
   Campaign partners Tourism Queensland, Tourism NSW, Tourism Australia and Qantas will target visitors from Argentina, Brazil and Chile.

22 April, 2010

Collections fine-tuned
at Penalties Registry

The State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER) has reported its highest collection figures for all time in March.
   Attorney-General Cameron Dick said SPER collected $15.6 million - the first time it had passed the $15 million mark and beating the previous monthly record set in July 2009 by $1 million.
   “Fine dodgers are getting the message,” Mr Dick said.
   “Queenslanders expect people who break the law and receive a fine to pay their debt in full.”
   He said tough new laws which came into effect on 1 January target chronic fine dodgers by increasing SPER’s enforcement powers, allowing them to clamp vehicle wheels, seize property and suspend driver licences for fines relating to all offences, not just those that are motor-vehicle-related.
   “Since I announced these tough new measures in July, the average monthly collection has been $13.5 million, an increase of $1.6 million over last year’s monthly average,” he said.
   “The vehicle immobilisation trial has netted $380 000 in direct payments and resulted in $3.2 million of debts coming into compliance since 1 January 2010.
   “The early indicators suggest the new laws are having the desired effect.”
   Mr Dick said SPER would continue to investigate chronic fine dodgers and use all enforcement opportunities available to make them comply.
   “Debtors referred to SPER are given plenty of opportunities to pay their fines, including through installment plans,” he said.
   “Debtors intent on not paying their fines face real consequences.
   “If you have unpaid fines I suggest you contact SPER and discuss your repayment options before it’s too late,” Mr Dick advised.

22 April, 2010

AG lays down law
in legal overhaul

An important step forward in the modernisation of the Queensland justice system has been taken with legislation introduced into Parliament to enable the reforms.
   Attorney-General Cameron Dick said the introduction of the Civil and Criminal Jurisdiction Reform and Modernisation Amendment Bill marked the first stage of the Government’s response to the review of the State’s criminal and civil justice system by Martin Moynihan.
   Mr Dick said key reforms in the Bill would streamline the committal process in the Magistrates Court, and expand the criminal and civil jurisdictions of the Magistrates and District courts.
   “As a result of our proposed changes, victims will see justice done sooner, prosecutors and courts will be able to focus on more complex matters, witnesses will benefit from fewer court appearances and defendants will wait less time for trial,” Mr Dick said.
   “We received a lot of thoughtful and constructive comments in submissions and a number of these have been incorporated into the Bill introduced today.”
   The Bill represented some of the most extensive and significant reforms to Queensland’s justice system in decades.
   “The revisions made to the Bill will ensure that the impacts of the initial changes can be closely monitored and evaluated so that they can provide a solid evidence base for consideration of further reforms based on Mr Moynihan’s recommendations,” he said.
   Mr Dick said he expected to see the same level and quality of feedback to a discussion paper for the second stage of the reforms stemming from Mr Moynihan’s report.
   “Mr Moynihan’s report highlighted the outdated and fragmented legal structure that currently underpins our criminal justice system,” the Attorney-General said.
   “This overhaul will continue the reform agenda by consolidating, modernising and streamlining procedural criminal justice legislation in Queensland.

22 April, 2010

Jury out on reforms
to jury system

The Queensland Law Reform Commission (QLRC) has recommended a number of changes to the way juries are treated and instructed in the State’s legal system.
   In a report to the Attorney-General, Cameron Dick, the QLRC makes recommendations to simplify the system in criminal trials and make instructions more consistent.
   Mr Dick has promised to consider the proposed changes.
   He said the Government had asked the QLRC to review the directions, warnings and summings-up given by judges to jurors in criminal trials and to recommend changes that may simplify the current system.
   “It’s important we recognise that people serving on juries do not have legal training, and yet they are asked to make decisions following detailed legal proceedings,” Mr Dick said.
   “This is an important strength of our system of justice, but it does mean we need to ensure that information is conveyed to juries in the most effective way.”
   Mr Dick said as part of the Review of Jury Directions report, the QLRC had looked at key areas relating to the work of juries and recommended various changes.
   The changes included the development of integrated jury directions; the provision of written material to the jury at the start of a trial covering matters such as the burden and standard of proof; the role of the judge and jury; and elements of each offence being considered.
   It recommended an amendment to the Criminal Code to allow both the prosecution and the defendant to make submissions to the Judge before the summing up.
   “The QLRC has recommended a range of changes, some of which would require legislative change and some that would require changes to how trials are presented to juries,” Mr Dick said.
   “I will now carefully consider the QLRC’s recommendations.”

22 April, 2010

Drug management
is bad medicine

Researchers from the University of Canberra have found that Australian hospitals are making their patients sicker by the way they buy and use medicines.
   The researchers called for an urgent overhaul of hospital procurement and drug management systems.
   The report, conducted by the University’s National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling (NATSEM), found there were “staggering” numbers of patients becoming sicker because of medication mishaps, poor communication and the way drugs were selected.
   NATSEM’s Research Director (Health), Professor Laurie Brown and the Head of Pharmacy, Professor Gabrielle Cooper said their research mirrored the Federal Government’s plan for a takeover of hospitals, and that any of the three proposals being considered to regulate the use and procurement of drugs would be better than the status quo.
   “Our research shows it is time Australia introduced a national system to govern the way we evaluate, buy and use medicines in our hospitals,” Professor Cooper said.
   “We need a fairer, more efficient national system, which would be cost effective, ensure patients get access to the most appropriate medication and ensure the treatment they receive in hospital does not conflict with the medicines they are prescribed in the community.”
   The researchers said under the current system, which costs $2 billion annually, there was little consistency between the National Medicines Policy and agreements between the Commonwealth and States, and the numerous ‘formularies’ developed at a hospital, area or State level to determine which medicines are purchased and how they are used.
   The report - Modelling Options for the Public Funding of Hospital Medicines in Australia - found there was insufficient expertise in health economics at local levels to measure drugs’ value for money, as well as wasteful duplication of work in running the system in each hospital.
   It revealed inequities in the availability of medicines across the country, including access between public and private hospitals, and a “substantial number of adverse drug events” relating to medication confusion or omission.
   “Over one in every 75 hospital stays had an adverse drug event that was sufficiently severe that it was reported on the patient’s medical file and coded into official hospital statistics,” the report said.
   The researchers said adverse drug events were often the result of confusion and a lack of effective communication between community and hospital care about medications.
   Professor Brown said NATSEM would be able to construct a computer model to map the effects of potential changes to the system if it had more funding.
   “The bulk of this research was carried out last year, so it’s an interesting coincidence that our findings mirror the Commonwealth’s moves towards a national hospitals system,” Professor Brown said.

22 April, 2010

Councils sweep up
extra funding

Four amalgamated Local Councils are to share $18.3 million in top-up funding following an assessment of their claims by the Queensland Treasury Corporation (QTC).
   QTC examined submissions from 25 Councils seeking payment for the costs of amalgamation. Its summary report is available online.
Each of the 25 Councils will also receive individual reports prepared by QTC responding to their submissions and detailing the costs and the benefits of amalgamation and each Council’s liquidity and financial sustainability position.
   Minister for Local Government, Desley Boyle said the report identified that financial sustainability remained a significant issue for North Burnett and South Burnett regional councils.
   “The QTC Report identified three Local Governments that, while having access to adequate liquidity, have weak forecast operating positions. The QTC has concluded that these deficits are predominately structural in nature and not a result of amalgamation,” Ms Boyle said.
   “These three Councils are Southern Downs Regional Council, Toowoomba Regional Council and Whitsunday Regional Council.”
   The Minister said that in line with the QTC recommendation, Southern Downs would receive funding. However, in relation to Toowoomba and Whitsunday Regional Councils, recent events meant both had already received a considerable financial boost.
   “The Government has committed $112 million to Toowoomba Regional Council for the huge Toowoomba Pipeline project and Whitsunday Regional Council has received a commitment of $15.6 million towards sewage treatment plant upgrades and another $7 million for an upgrade to the Whitsunday Coast Airport,” Ms Boyle said.
   “The QTC individual Reports identified financial liquidity and sustainability issues for both Scenic Rim and Isaac regional councils. A preliminary assessment of sustainability issues for Torres Strait Island Regional Council recommends funding. Accordingly, they too will receive Government assistance.”

22 April, 2010

Fair Trading
trades places

A travelling road show from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is in far North Queensland this week and next offering consumers information and advice on fair trading issues.
   Minister for Fair Trading, Peter Lawlor said the roadshow would include tips on how to avoid being ripped off, how to check on local traders and sessions on teaching children to be money-wise.
   “The consumer presentations - conducted by a Fair Trading specialist and held in Cooktown, Weipa and Bamaga - will be a key element of the road show and all members of the public are welcome to attend,” Mr Lawlor said.
   “Everyday issues we come across in our lives will be discussed, from getting refunds, using warranties, signing up for credit and hiring products through to avoiding scams, buying a second-hand car and dealing with door-to-door traders.
   MP for Cook, Jason O’Brien said he wanted more people in regional areas to stand up and have their voice heard when things didn’t go right.
   “People can simply listen and ask questions, or if they want to, talk about their experiences of being treated unfairly, and even lodge a complaint,” Mr O’Brien said.
   “The road show helps the OFT highlight its role to communities, listen to people’s concerns and gather information that might otherwise go unreported.
   Cairns manager for the OFT, Len Curran said remote communities were often at risk of being caught out on consumer issues due to their isolation and reduced choices in their local marketplaces.
   “This extra support and information will help more people in our area know what to do and where to go for help,” Mr Curran said.
   Consumer protection resources in the area were recently boosted by a partnership between OFT and the Indigenous Consumer Awareness Network (ICAN), which sees specially-trained ICAN staff working on the ground in Yarrabah and Palm Island on consumer issues.

22 April, 2010

Researchers researched
in textbook references

Two researchers from the University of Queensland Business School (UQBS) have been recognised internationally for their work on workplace behaviour.
   Neal Ashkanasy and Charmine Härtel have been cited in the 14th edition of the United States-published Organizational Behavior textbook.
   Professor Ashkanasy said the number of citations both he and Professor Härtel received was very flattering.
   “You expect Australians to be cited in an Australian textbook, but you don’t normally expect Australians to be cited in a textbook in the US,” Professor Ashkanasy said.
   “It means the research we are doing has a high impact. The biggest accolade is when you’re in a textbook, and students read it and are influenced by it.”
   Dean of the University of Queensland Business School, Iain Watson, praised Professor Ashkanasy and Professor Härtel’s “outstanding achievements”.
   “The fact that Charmine and Neal’s research publications have been so highly cited in an American textbook is clear evidence of the quality of their work and the international esteem their academic colleagues around the world hold them in,” Professor Watson said.
   “The Business School aspires to be one of the leading business schools in our region and the kind of acknowledgements recently received by Charmine and Neal assist us greatly in illustrating the quality of research produced by our academic community within UQBS.”

22 April, 2010

New code to cover
accommodation

A new code setting mandatory minimum standards for temporary accommodation buildings is to come into effect on 1 July.
   Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Stirling Hinchliffe said the pressures of rapid resource development, particularly in coal mining areas, had resulted in the use of temporary buildings of a poor standard which failed to provide adequately for the health, safety and general comfort of workers.
   “Current building regulations do not adequately address minimum standards for temporary accommodation buildings, particularly those in mining regions, Mr Hinchliffe said.
   “The State Government is aware the Queensland Resources Council has concerns about the changes, which are estimated to cost the mining industry approximately $18 million per year.
   “However, given the thousands of Queensland workers directly impacted, and the potential expansion of the industry across the State, improving conditions is imperative.”
   Mr Hinchliffe said workers at Queensland mines or in rural areas were often forced to live in temporary accommodation buildings as traditional accommodation options were limited.
   “The new code will require all temporary accommodation buildings to meet a range of minimum standards to improve the health, safety and well-being of the occupants, as well as providing environmental benefits,” he said.
   “It will also assist Councils to intervene and take enforcement steps where unapproved buildings - or buildings where approval times have expired - remain on-site.”
   If an existing temporary accommodation building does not comply with the conditions of the original development approval, the Local Government can take action under the Building Act 1975 and the Sustainable Planning Act 2009.
   Mr Hinchcliffe said this may involve having a temporary accommodation building removed from the site.

22 April, 2010

Ambulance Service
getting better

The Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) has implemented 40 of 44 recommendations from a comprehensive audit in 2007, and in the process has become the best-performing ambulance service in Australia.
   Minister for Emergency Services, Neil Roberts said the audit was all about focusing resources on the frontline, identifying $12 million in savings from non-essential areas to be re-assigned to boosting frontline services to the community.
   “Some of these initiatives that have been actioned include the successful Triple Zero Community Awareness Campaign to reduce unnecessary calls to Triple Zero; a Secondary Triage Referral Service to reduce ambulance use for non-emergency transport; increased QAS frontline officers in line with the national average and the review of the Medical Priority Dispatch System to ensure appropriate resources are dispatched to incidents,” Mr Roberts said.
   He said Cabinet rejected the audit’s recommendation to consider integrating QAS with Queensland Health, as new practices were working well.
   He said these practices included linking ambulance communications centres with emergency department systems to help the QAS monitor patient flow in various hospitals, thus assisting ambulance officers to take patients to the most appropriate hospital.
   Cabinet also decided not to consider a recommendation to implement an expanded ‘treat and leave’ program for ambulance officers, preferring the current arrangements.
   Mr Roberts said the Government had previously rejected other recommendations including one to open non-emergency patient transport services to competition.
   “The Government is committed to building a fairer Queensland and that includes the basic right for every Queenslander to have access to first-class emergency services,” Mr Roberts said.
   “Over the past three financial years, an additional 555 ambulance officers have been funded by the Government, including 50 promised in 2009-10.”

22 April, 2010

Irrigators splash out
on water program

A new program to deliver efficient irrigation infrastructure on to Queensland farms in the Murray Darling Basin has been announced by the Minister for Water, Stephen Robertson, and his Federal counterpart, Senator Penny Wong.
   The Ministers said up to $36 million would be provided by the Australian Government for the Queensland Government to begin two rounds of on-farm irrigation efficiency improvements.
   The works will be supported by a detailed Basin appraisal study which will help identify potential water savings and evaluate how the project will socially and economically assist irrigation communities.
   Mr Robertson said the Queensland Government would also increase irrigator and community knowledge of on-farm water saving practices through education.
Senator Wong said the funding represented the first phase of the Australian Government’s $115 million commitment to irrigation planning and on-farm infrastructure in the Queensland section of the Murray Darling Basin.
   “It is expected that the first phase of this project could deliver up to 12 billion litres of water entitlement for the environment,” Senator Wong said.
   The on-farm infrastructure project will be delivered by Queensland’s Department of Environment and Resource Management, which will work closely with the State’s irrigators in the Murray Darling Basin to help them improve water use efficiency on their properties.
   Mr Robertson said the Queensland Government would shortly be inviting proposals for on-farm projects that resulted in on-farm efficiencies, and delivered water savings that would be shared between irrigation farmers and the environment.
   Funding will be provided from the $5.8 billion Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure Program, a key component of the Australian Government’s 10-year, $12.9 billion Water for the Future initiative.

22 April, 2010

Forums feature in
new bullying push

Prominent child psychologist, Michael Carr-Gregg is to host a series of forums in schools discussing strategies for countering the growing problem of bullying.
   Minister for Education, Geoff Wilson said parents and school communities would benefit from Dr Carr-Gregg’s expertise in bullying, cyber safety and mental health issues for adolescents.
   “Bullying is a complex problem and it’s important we have experts like Dr Carr-Gregg to work with school communities to tackle it,” Mr Wilson said.
   He said the Action Against Bullying – Education Series was the first major initiative from the Queensland Schools Alliance Against Violence which was established earlier this year to examine ways to stop bullying.
   Forums will be held in Brisbane North, Brisbane South, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, Rockhampton, Mackay, Cairns, Townsville and Mt Isa between May and August.
   Three forums will be held in each region – one each for parents, school staff and principals.
   Dr Carr-Gregg said the presentations will contain the latest research on what is known about bullying behaviour and some practical evidence-based advice as to what parents and schools can do to minimise harm.
   “All the latest research demonstrates that there are no quick fixes when it comes to bullying but that the most effective solutions go beyond the school gate,” Dr Carr-Gregg said.
   “The importance of a whole-of-school approach which involves young people, teachers, parents and the wider community cannot be stressed enough.”
   Education Queensland was leading the charge when it came to dealing with this complex problem.

22 April, 2010

Innovators shine
with bright ideas

Eighteen researchers and innovators have been rewarded for their excellence with Smart Futures Fellowships presented by the Premier, Anna Bligh.
   The fellowships - worth a total of $3.84 million over three years – are aimed at building a strong Queensland future powered by bright ideas, the Premier said.
   “From tackling climate change to the war against disease, there is groundbreaking work being undertaken that deserves to be recognised and supported,” Ms Bligh said.
   “We want to support our local scientific talent and attract leading scientific talent from around Australia and indeed the world. – and that’s exactly what we are doing through fellowships like these.”
   The Government’s $3.6 billion investment in research, development and innovation has resulted in 39 new research institutes and more than 230 research-related projects, research scholarships and fellowships.
   Ms Bligh congratulated award recipients including Anton Middelberg who was awarded the Smart Futures Premier’s Fellowship worth $1.25 million over three years.
   “Professor Middelberg is working with technology that could see vaccines developed in a matter of weeks rather than the months or years it currently takes,” she said.
   “If successful, it will enable Queensland to produce vaccines against viruses like Swine Flu and Hendra Virus and have the technology to deal with new viruses emerging in the future.”
   Ms Bligh said Professor Middelberg’s research, conducted at the Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology at the University of Queensland, would position Queensland as a global leader in vaccine research and development.

22 April, 2010

Forums on hit list
for violence review

A series of consultation forums are to be held across Queensland as part of a review of Domestic and Family Violence laws.
   Minister for Community Services, Karen Struthers said the Government was carrying out one of the most comprehensive reviews of Domestic Violence legislation in 20 years.
   “We’ve launched a consultation paper to find out what’s working and what’s not when it comes to holding perpetrators responsible for their actions and providing support for victims,” Ms Struthers said.
   “We are keen to hear from people all round the State.
   “All up, we will be holding 18 forums in places like Cairns, Logan, Childers, Caboolture, Mount Isa, Maroochydore and many more.”
   The Minister said the forums would provide an opportunity for people at the front line of tackling domestic and family violence like police, support workers and representatives from the justice system to give the Government “frank and fearless advice.”
   She said the Government had also allocated $65,000 to fund activities during Domestic and Family Violence Month starting in May.
   “This comes on top of $35 million that has been allocated to Non-Government Agencies to help victims and work towards prevention,” she said.
   Copies of the consultation paper can be found at www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au and copies can be ordered by calling 1800 173 107 or 1800 173 107. Submissions close on 30 May.

22 April, 2010

Daylight saving
lights up again

The possibility of introducing daylight saving for South East Queensland is to be raised in State-wide consultations over the next few weeks with a view to launching a trial and holding a referendum next summer.
   Premier, Anna Bligh has asked local MPs from all regions of the State to provide feedback by mid-May on support or opposition for the measures.
   Additionally, the Government has opened an on-line forum – providing direct contact with the Premier – offering residents of communities from Coolangatta to Cooktown the chance to have a say on whether Queensland should have a split time zone trial, followed by a referendum.
   “Our Government has previously categorically ruled out Daylight Saving for the entire State and we remain opposed to any consideration in that regard,” Ms Bligh said.
   She said in South East Queensland the issue had tended to polarise residents and simply would not go away. Independent MP, Peter Wellington introduced a Private Members Bill to conduct a referendum on two time zones for Queensland.
   “Maybe we need to revisit the Daylight Saving issue and listen more to exactly what it is Queenslanders want for the South East in regard to split time zones,” the Premier said.
   “But it doesn’t make sense to hold a referendum without an SEQ trial - a referendum would be very hard to consider without knowing what our State would be like with two time zones and how it would work.
   “That’s why it’s critical we get feedback from the public,” she said.

22 April, 2010

Campaign sidelines
sports violence

The second year of a campaign to improve spectator behaviour at junior football matches has been launched by the Minister for Sport, Phil Reeves.
   Mr Reeves said the Positive or it’s Pointless campaign kicked off last year as a partnership between the Government and associations that run junior football codes in Brisbane, with the Government providing sponsorship of $59,700 over three years.
   “Most parents and kids behave responsibly but there are incidents of player violence and abuse of referees,” Mr Reeves said.
   “We want to discourage this kind of behaviour and this campaign will help.
   “The win-at-all-costs mentality won’t disappear overnight, but there’s now a new culture out there offering a real alternative.”
   He said an elite player from each football code had been selected as a campaign ambassador - Will Genia from rugby union, Michael Zullo from soccer, Luke Power from Australian Rules and Cameron Smith from rugby league.
   Attorney-General, Cameron Dick said the campaign aimed to make sport safe for children and inspire those involved at the grassroots level to adopt the principles of integrity, respect, fun, responsibility and excellence.
   “We’re pushing these messages through supportive club officials, radio and print advertising, posters and flyers,” Mr Dick said.
   “Clubs are reporting real gains and believe many parents are also seeing the broader value of a positive playing environment,” he said.

22 April, 2010

Health injects
drug warning

Queensland Health is urging doctors to take extra care prescribing pseudoephedrine (PSE) to ensure that their patients are in genuine need of the drug.
   Chief Health Officer, Jeannette Young said Project STOP, introduced by the Pharmacy Guild in 2005 to target the purchase of PSE for illegal purposes, had been so successful that criminals were using other means of obtaining the drug.
   “It seems that doctors are being targeted by people seeking prescriptions for PSE for diversion - that is to use in the production of illicit amphetamines or to on-sell to other people for this purpose,” Dr Young said.
   “This has become apparent through pharmacy audits, data from Project STOP and information from the Queensland Police Service State Drug Investigation Unit.”
   Evidence of PSE medicines obtained on prescription was increasingly being found by police at clandestine drug laboratories.
   “It also has been reported that those seeking prescriptions for this purpose are usually not regular patients of the doctor or pharmacist and claim that they work in remote areas (for example on prawn trawlers or at mine sites) and are unable to obtain PSE from their usual pharmacy,” Dr Young said.
   She said Queensland Health had no intention of denying patients access to the medication they required for a genuine therapeutic purpose.
   “However, we must aim to reduce the current level of diversion of PSE that is being obtained on prescription, and I urge doctors to ensure that a person seeking a prescription with PSE has a genuine therapeutic need,” she said.
   “Since January 2009, more than 10 health professionals have lost their endorsements to either prescribe or dispense scheduled medications because they have acted outside of their respective legislative endorsements.”
   Dr Young said it also should be noted that a pharmacist could not dispense a prescription for PSE written by a doctor not registered to practice in Queensland.

22 April, 2010
Camp out a success
The Government and the Queensland Outdoor Recreation Federation teamed up to encourage Queenslanders to camp out on Saturday 17 April - Great Aussie Camp Out Day.
   The initiative assists the Government’s Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland aim of making Queenslanders Australia’s healthiest people.
   The Queensland Outdoor Recreation Federation developed the Camp Out concept, which has the backing of Local Government, recreation and not-for-profit organisations.

Privacy warning
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has taken the opportunity presented by National Youth Week to urge young Queenslanders to protect their personal information when surfing the net.
   The OFT said young people were more likely to be targeted by scammers and identity thieves because they spent more time online.
   A total of 2173 complaints relating to scams were received by the OFT in 2009 – an increase of more than 800 compared with 2008.
Young people could obtain youth-focused consumer information at www.getoutthere.qld.gov.au

Trainees go green
Queensland’s Green Army will be increased by an additional 50 environmental traineeships that will be based with community organisations.
   As well as creating 3,000 jobs over three years the Green Army will supply participants with the skills they need to step into jobs.
   The traineeships give long-term unemployed people and recently-retrenched workers a year of work and training.
   People wanting to register should phone the Green Army hotline on 1800 249 215 or visit www.greenarmy.qld.gov.au

Moratorium extended
The moratorium on hotel gaming machines has been extended by two years.
   Hotel gaming machines were capped at 18,843 in 2001. In 2005 a progressive five-year increase to 20,000 was announced which was put on hold at 19,310 in 2008.
   That two-year moratorium was due to end on 16 April.
   In the 2008-09 financial year more than 2,250 community groups throughout Queensland received over $42.2 million from Community Benefit funds which are derived from gambling taxes.

Facelift for lake
Lake McKenzie on Fraser Island is undergoing a $3 million facelift funded by the Australian and State Governments.
   The project will include new vehicle access routes, increased car parking capacity, upgraded pedestrian access to the beach, three new amenities blocks, improved signage and
site revegetation.
   The work, which will require some restrictions on access to the lake, will be finished in time for September holidays.

Buy Smart open
Primary and high school students are taking part in the Office of Fair Trading’s Buy Smart 2010 competition.
   Working individually or in teams, students in the competition research and then make a creative presentation which demonstrates their consumer know-how and financial flair.
   The aim is to equip young people with skills and knowledge they will need when entering the marketplace.
   The competition closes on Friday 17 September.

15 April, 2010

Leadership up front
in schools institute

A new institute to promote leadership in the State’s education sector is expected to be established by July.
   A joint project of the State Government, Independent Schools Queensland and the Catholic Education Commission, the new Queensland Education Leadership Institute (QELI) is to be set up as a not-for-profit entity to develop leadership in the State’s schools.
   Minister for Education and Training, Geoff Wilson said the QELI was being established in response to the findings of Geoff Masters’ review of education in Queensland.
   “The aim of QELI is to develop leadership in schools by offering targeted professional development to Principals as well as teachers with leadership aspirations, Mr Wilson said.
   “An expert working group, including representatives from the State and non-State school sectors, Principal associations, unions and universities has provided advice on the establishment of the Institute.”
   He said the Government was investing $3.6 million in the project.
   “The Institute will support school leaders to bring about significant reform in our schools and enrich the learning opportunities for students in all Queensland communities,” Mr Wilson said.
   “Principals and teachers in regional and remote parts of Queensland will be able to access programs online.”
   Mr Wilson said the Institute would also build strong networks and relationships with education stakeholders.
   “It will work in close collaboration with universities and other education and research organisations, including the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership, to ensure the programs offered are at an internationally recognised standard,” he said.

15 April, 2010

New penalties in
oil-spill mop-up

Fines against shipping companies whose vessels are involved in oil spills along the Queensland coast are set to increase by more than five times.
   Premier, Anna Bligh said the maximum penalty for would increase from $1.75 million to $10 million while the maximum fine for individuals involved in at-sea mishaps would increase from $350,000 to $500,000.
   The increases follow the Pacific Adventurer oil spill in Moreton Bay in March last year and the recent grounding of a Chinese vessel near Great Keppel Island.
   “Ten million dollars is a lot of money for any company to have to hand over in the event of a marine mishap and it would be in addition to any compensation a company would have to pay for a clean-up,” Ms Bligh said.
   “Those who profit from the transportation of goods through Queensland’s coastal waters have a responsibility to be diligent and those who aren’t will pay the price.”
   Ms Bligh said she had written to the Commonwealth Government, requesting that it review its own marine protection legislation to give consideration to matching the increases in penalties.
   Transport Minister, Rachel Nolan said amendments to the Transport Operations (Marine Pollution) Act also tightened up requirements for vessels and crews.
   Ms Nolan said they removed a shipping company’s right to withhold documentation in the event of a spill and allowed Maritime Safety to detain a vessel when it was a likely pollution risk to ensure faults were rectified.
   “These amendments mean shipping companies will no longer be able to frustrate our efforts by refusing to provide documents on the basis that the documents may be incriminating,” Ms Nolan said.
   Ms Bligh said the amendments to the legislation would be in place before the end of the year.

15 April, 2010

WHS report finds
unhealthy mixture

A national Productivity Commission report into Workplace Health and Safety regimes across the country has found that the differences between State and Territory jurisdictions are “hard to justify.”
   The study, Performance Benchmarking of Australian Business Regulation: Occupational Health and Safety, examined differences in WHS legislation, including its administration, enforcements and costs to businesses, in an effort to provide information to support a nation-wide regulatory approach to WHS.
   The report found there were 70 industry or hazard-specific Acts that regulated WHS in some way, and that the burdens from jurisdictional differences fell most heavily on businesses operating in more than one State or Territory.
   Commissioner, David Kalisch said the report had been requested by the Council of Australian Governments as part of its efforts to reduce regulatory duplication and overlap and to help with the move towards a national WHS Act.
   “The report should provide Governments and the Workplace Relations Ministers Council with further opportunities to reduce the regulatory burden on business through greater harmonisation of the next layers of regulation, such as national codes and guidance material for business,” Mr Kalisch said.
   “The report also highlights many ways to improve the practices of Government regulators across Australia.”
   The Commissioner said while WHS regulation played an important role in promoting safe work practices, excessive regulation could have a negative impact on productivity and consumer costs.
   He said the report found significant differences in WHS in 2008-09 in a variety of areas including record keeping for risk management, training and incidents; worker consultation, participation and representation; and dealing with workplace hazards such as asbestos and the prevention of falls.
   Mr Kalisch said the report also found there were significant differences between the resources of WHS regulators, as well as their funding sources, availability and application of enforcement tools, appeal mechanisms and transparency.
   It found businesses, particularly those operating nationally, could find it difficult to comply with their WHS obligations because of the regulatory differences, with those operating Australia-wide having to be aware of 3,392 pages of regulation.
   Mr Kalisch said although progress had been made towards national WHS standards, not all States and Territories had adopted them.
   The report did not make any recommendations and was available from www.pc.gov.au

15 April, 2010

Young PS tunes in to
breakfast program

More than 400 young PS professionals and their Chief Executives gathered in Brisbane this week to celebrate National Youth Week at the Institute of Public Administration Australia Queensland’s annual YP CEO Breakfast.
   Facilitated by Dr Harry Zaphir, the breakfast profiled the career paths of Jill Charker from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Paul Martyn from the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation and the Chief Executive Officer of Brisbane City Council, Jude Munro.
   The theme of the breakfast was Learning Success from the Successful andthe panel addressed their career highs, challenges and lessons learnt along the way which brought them to the positions they currently held.
   Chief Executive of IPAA Queensland, Peter Rumph said the number of young professionals entering the public sector in Queensland has risen dramatically.
   Mr Rumph said almost 34 per cent of Queensland public sector employees were young professionals under 35.
   He said the Public Service risked losing extensive specialist knowledge and capacity over the next few years with around 32 per cent of its workforce already aged over 50.
   “Furthermore, the Service’s retention of people embarking on their career under 25 years of age, and people likely to have significant family responsibilities who are aged 25 to 39 years, is lower than in the rest of the workforce,” Mr Rumph said.
   He said the key to attracting and keeping young professionals in the PS was to offer flexibility and a positive culture that promoted personal and professional development.
   “There are a number of benefits a career in the public sector can provide,” Mr Rumph said.
   “One of the most obvious is the stability and security of employment, but it also includes things such as flexible working hours, study leave, clearly defined pay rise scales and solid performance management systems.”
   He said IPAA Queensland recognised the valuable potential of young professionals and aimed to support and enhance their personal and professional development through the sharing of ideas, knowledge and networks.

15 April, 2010

Police review of powers
hits the streets

Submissions from the public have been invited for the five-year review of the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000 (PPRA).
   The periodic review is conducted to ensure the State’s police powers are adequate and appropriate.
   Minister for Police, Neil Roberts said stakeholders and the public could make submissions until 17 May.
   “The Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000 (PPRA) details the powers that Queensland police officers have for investigating offences and enforcing the law,” Mr Roberts said.
   He said the review would be undertaken in three stages.
   The first stage involved the police themselves identifying any areas of legislation that could be improved upon, had been completed and stage two involved establishing a committee to review the Act and examine the Queensland Police Service’s recommendations as well as proposals from other stakeholders.
   “The PPRA Review Committee comprises Government and non-Government stakeholders, including the Queensland Law Society, Queensland Council for Civil Liberties and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (Qld) Ltd, to overview and drive the review process,” Mr Roberts said.
   He said the final stage of the review process would seek the views of the Queensland community and invite submissions on the parts of the PPRA the community believed required changing.
   “The public consultation period will run through until 17 May after which all submissions will be considered by the Committee before being presented to Government for consideration,” Mr Roberts said.
   Further information on the review and how to lodge a submission was available from www.police.qld.gov.au

15 April, 2010

Electricity consumers
wired for refunds

The Premier has announced that over 22,400 electricity customers have signed up to the Solar Bonus Scheme since it was introduced on 1 July 2008 and have received $3.52 million in credits against their power bills.
   Premier, Anna Bligh said the scheme had been an outstanding success.
   “Queenslanders are doing the bright thing and embracing the clean power of the sun to save money on their power bills,” Ms Bligh said.
   She said under the scheme, consumers were paid 44c per kilowatt-hour for all surplus electricity generated by their roof-top solar photovoltaic (PV) panel systems that is exported to the Queensland electricity grid.
   “Before we started, there were approximately 1.5 megawatts of connected solar generating capacity in Queensland and about 1,200 customers with rooftop solar (PV) panel systems,” Ms Bligh said.
   “At the end of March, we have nearly 36 megawatts of connected generating capacity and more than 22,400 customers reaping the benefits of participating in the Solar Bonus Scheme.”
   The Renewable Energy Plan for Queensland had set a goal of producing 40 megawatts of solar PV by 2020.
   “With initiatives such as this, we are quickly transforming Queensland into the solar State,” Ms Bligh said.
   Minister for Natural Resources and Energy, Stephen Robertson said Queenslanders had shown they were keen to harness the free, clean energy of the sun for use in their homes and businesses.
   “Not only do they save on electricity bills — they get paid for excess electricity fed back to the grid and also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Mr Robertson said.
   “This all helps boost the State’s use of renewable energy, encourages energy efficiency and stimulates the solar power industry in Queensland.”
   Ms Bligh also announced a new solar hot water rebate under which pensioners and low income earners could apply for a $1,000 rebate and other residents could apply for a $600 rebate for a solar hot water system or a heat pump system.
   She said payments would begin after 1 July.

15 April, 2010

Department develops
photography contest

The Department of Infrastructure and Planning has launched its ‘Capture Queensland’ photo competition with prizes totaling $4,200.
   Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Stirling Hinchliffe said the competition reflected the Government’s work on sustainable development, the protection of open spaces and encouraging strong communities.
   “It’s great to launch a competition that will recognise emerging photographic talent and highlight the built or natural features that make Queensland such a great place to live,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
   He said there were two prize categories.
   Photos submitted to the Iconic Queensland Infrastructure category could be images of a bridge, building, road, rail track or any other standout construction built in the last 150 years.
   He said notable pieces of infrastructure included the Goodwill Bridge, the University of Queensland, the Gateway Bridge, Wivenhoe Dam and the Kareeya Hydro power station at Tully.
   The My Queensland Life section is more open to artistic interpretation and could include photos of a natural landscape, animal or social activity.
   “I’m looking forward to seeing the images submitted in both categories and wish all entrants well,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
   He said the competition would run over the next three months with entries closing on 30 June.
   He said photographers could enter as many times as they liked provided they completed an entry form for each entry and obtained consent forms from anyone identifiable in their picture.
   The top short-listed entries will be selected for display at the Brisbane Ekka in August and on the Department of Infrastructure and Planning website.
   Winning and runner-up entries from each category will be named at the Major Projects Conference on 19 October.
   Further information and entry forms were available from www.dip.qld.gov.au

15 April, 2010

Doors opened for
tourism passport

Tourism Queensland has joined forces with the Queensland Information Centres Association (QICA) to introduce a Passport to Information for travellers to record all the destinations they visit.
   Minister for Tourism, Peter Lawlor said the passport was a good way for people driving and touring throughout Queensland to record their experiences.
   “Holidaymakers can visit QICA member visitor information centres and pick up a hard copy passport,” Mr Lawlor said.
   “While touring, they also receive a stamp and codeword for their passport at participating visitor information centres which makes them eligible to win one of five $1,000 Queensland holiday vouchers until 31 August.”
   Mr Lawlor said the initiative was part of a coordinated approach by Tourism Queensland and QICA to promote the State’s visitor information centres.
   “Queensland’s visitor information centres are at the frontline of our State’s tourism industry – meeting, greeting and helping visitors from around the globe,” he said
   “They can be the difference between visitors driving through a destination or deciding to stay overnight and book accommodation or a tour.”
   Chief Executive of Tourism Queensland, Anthony Hayes said 31 per cent of visiting tourists who hadn’t pre-booked accommodation used a visitor information centre to book their accommodation, while 39 per cent used a visitor information centre to find out more about local tours.

15 April, 2010

Spurt of growth for
agriculture college

A major initiative to improve education and training in the agriculture industry has been announced by the Minister for Primary Industries and Rural and Regional Queensland, Tim Mulherin.
   The Australian Agricultural College Corporation (AACC) will increase its number of delivery sites from five to 14 under a $20 million Government initiative.
   Mr Mulherin said the Reconnecting Agricultural Education plan aimed to strengthen the AACC by providing a positive response to what people and organisations in primary industries said they needed.
   “Industry has told us we need to change the way we deliver agricultural education and training,” Mr Mulherin said.
   “We are responding with broader and more flexible training options.
   “With 14 locations, the AACC will deliver from multiple campuses, centres and delivery sites across Queensland.”
   The Minister said the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation would contribute $3 million and the AACC would raise $17 million by selling or leasing outdated or surplus facilities and some property.
   “All monies raised will be reinvested into the AACC,” he said.
   Mr Mulherin said the agricultural sector had a bright future but needed more people with higher level skills.
   “Increasingly, rural industry is seeking education and training in different ways, including short courses and traineeships,” he said.
   “A greater focus on tailored workplace training will allow industry to undertake training and skilling opportunities on demand and as required.”
   Mr Mulherin said the AACC would work closely with its staff to ensure a smooth transition over the next three years.
   “There will be no forced redundancies and we are 100 per cent committed to supporting staff affected by these changes,” he said.
   “We will also ensure that current students undertaking education with AACC will be supported to complete their qualifications.”
   Further information on Reconnecting Agricultural Education was available from www.aacc.edu.au

15 April, 2010

Cleaner seas flow in
northern water scheme

A water treatment project that promises greater protection for the Great Barrier Reef has been officially opened.
   Minister for Local Government, Desley Boyle said the $188 million Cleaner Seas Project would ensure far northern Queensland had the infrastructure required to tackle the challenges of future growth.
   “This project was delivered on time and on budget delivering upgrades to the Edmonton, Marlin Coast, Northern and Southern waste water treatment plants,” Ms Boyle said.
   She said the Government and the Cairns Regional Council had worked together to deliver the project.
   She said the upgrades involved the installation of state-of-the-art submerged membrane filter technology.
   She said filters would cut the amount of nitrogen, phosphorous and ammonia being discharged onto the reef by around 80 per cent a year.
   “This is critical for the long term protection of the reef and fish habitats,” Ms Boyle said.
   She said the upgraded plants would ensure the Cairns region had the infrastructure necessary for future growth.
   “Combined, the four wastewater treatment plants will have the capacity to service more than 200,000 people,” she said.
   “Following the upgrades, the plants are also capable of delivering a higher standard of recycled water which can be utilised for a variety of industrial and agricultural uses as well as irrigation on local parks and sporting fields.”
   The Council said it planned to enable households to use the recycled water for toilet flushing and watering gardens.

15 April, 2010

Pool safety plan
is still afloat

The pool-owning public has been invited to comment on a Regulatory Impact Statement for the second stage of the proposed new pool safety standards.
   Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Stirling Hinchliffe said the impact statement listed the benefits and costs of the draft pool safety standards ahead of their expected introduction on 1 December this year.
   Mr Hinchliffe said the regulations could see pool safety inspections included at the point of sale or lease, greater powers of entry for Council pool inspectors, fences for all portable pools deeper than 30cm and the broadening of laws to include indoor, hotel/motel, caretaker residence and caravan park pools.
   He said eight children drowned in backyard pools in Queensland last year and 35 had drowned in the State’s residential swimming pools in the past six years.
   “It’s estimated 50 children a year present to emergency departments for immersion injuries, some of whom suffer brain damage due to lack of oxygen,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
   “The State Government is determined to help stop these drownings and near-drownings in backyard pools.”
   He said the release of the Regulatory Impact Statement would give pool owners time to have their say and prepare for the second stage of the safety standards.
   The draft laws could see almost 70 per cent of Queensland pool owners required to undertake some upgrade work within five years - or earlier if the property is sold or leased - to ensure their pools comply.
   “If the laws are approved and the Building Act 1975 amended, the estimated average cost for pool owners to upgrade a fence to meet the new standard has been estimated at $430,’’ Mr Hinchliffe said.
   “Similarly, where pool owners do not comply with existing pool safety requirements, the average cost was estimated at an additional $730, but if one child is saved or protected from injury as result of these new measures, the costs will be worth it.”
   Public Consultation closes on 16 May and the Regulatory Impact Statement could be viewed at www.dip.qld.gov.au

15 April, 2010

Gas guidelines
to clear the air

New guidelines have been released that set regulatory ‘triggers’ to help protect groundwater in areas where coal seam gas (CSG) is being extracted.
   Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, Stephen Robertson said the laws introducing the new trigger thresholds were expected to begin in August 2010, with the independent Queensland Water Commission (QWC) having oversight.
   “This will be supported by a $2 million CSG groundwater unit we are setting up within the QWC, initially with eight officers dedicated to the task,” Mr Robertson said.
   “The extraction of CSG is dependent on first removing large amounts of groundwater from coal seams,” he said.
   “Much of the area under development for CSG lies within the Great Artesian Basin and the aquifers there provide vital bore water for stock, domestic, industrial and agricultural use – often in areas where there is no alternative water supply source.”
   He said it was important to have arrangements in place to detect and respond appropriately where large-scale CSG extraction might impact on groundwater.
   “To do this, the Government will implement a groundwater management regime,” Mr Robertson said.
   “Where the impacts from individual CSG operations overlap, the regime will manage the cumulative impacts,” he said.
   Mr Robertson said an important part of the management regime would be new trigger thresholds which could be used to investigate individual CSG operators’ impacts and overall impacts on bore water.
   He said the trigger would operate on a five-metre drop for consolidated aquifers such as sandstone and a two-metre drop for shallow alluvial aquifers.
   He said there would also be a trigger threshold relating to springs.
   Mr Robertson said if the expected water level drop at a spring was greater than 0.2 metres the CSG operator would need to investigate and develop a plan to manage the impacts.
   The CSG Groundwater Unit is to be supported by a technical advisory panel which will review the data collected quarterly, and an industry advisory panel which would include members from the agriculture, environment and community sectors.

15 April, 2010

Design Triennial on
the drawing boards

The first ‘Design Triennial’ is to be held in Brisbane in October as part of the Queensland Design Strategy 2020 aimed at using good design to strengthen the economy, enhance creativity and encourage business and public sector innovation.
   Newly-appointed Creative Director of the Triennial, Ewan McEoin said the Strategy was a whole-of-Government action plan and was the first of its kind in Australia.
   “It will bring together international leaders from business, industry, research, academia and Government and help find real-world design solutions to challenges facing this region,” Mr McEoin said.
   “In Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland we have identified five key ambitions: strong, smart, fair, green and healthy.
   “Design thinking and developing a strong, robust design sector will help us achieve these ambitions.”
   Mr McEoin is also a board member of the Design Research Institute at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, joint Director of the Australian Design Unit and an experienced design magazine editor.
   He will work with a consortium of industry professionals, led by Arts Events Management Australasia and the Australian Design Unit, across three States - Queensland, NSW and Victoria – to deliver the Triennial.
   “We have the full support of Government to produce a program that is innovative, issues-led and results-oriented,” Mr McEoin said.
   “The program strives to bring Queensland and Asia-Pacific businesses, the design sector and communities together to devise ways of using design as a powerful tool for sustainable development and social benefit.”

15 April, 2010

Dinosaur display
brought to life

New extensions to the Mount Morgan mine near Rockhampton that will enable visitors to view previously unseen dinosaur prints that are millions of years old, have been officially opened.
   The extensions include a stairway and viewing platform to provide visitors with an opportunity to view a second grouping of dinosaur prints in Fireclay Caverns.
   Minister for Tourism, Peter Lawlor said the caverns contained dinosaur prints dating back to the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.
   “Previously, visitors were unable to view the second grouping of prints because of the difficulties associated with reaching them,” Mr Lawlor said.
   “That will all change with the new stairway and viewing platform located in the raised cavern.”
   The extension was identified in the State Government’s Central Queensland Tourism Opportunity Plan as a project of significant importance to the local tourism market.
   Mr Lawlor said Mount Morgan Promotion and Development Inc received $50,000 under the State Government’s $600,000 Regional Minor Tourism Infrastructure Grant Program last year to extend the site.
   “This program is part of the Government’s commitment to boosting Queensland’s drive tourism market,” he said.
   He said this year’s funding program from the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation would support up to 15 projects throughout Queensland.
   Tourism Queensland and Capricorn Tourism have been promoting the Fireclay Caverns as part of the Dig the Tropic marketing campaign.
   Chief Executive of Capricorn Tourism, Mary Carroll said Mount Morgan was a jewel in the crown of the region.
   “We are so fortunate to have such a unique and amazing historical attraction here,” Ms Carroll said.
   “This is one of the only places in Australia where you will be able to see the base of the footprints on the cave because they have been exposed.”

15 April, 2010

Councils rate funds
for municipal jobs

Funding for the State’s mainland Indigenous Councils to create permanent municipal service jobs has been announced by the Minister for Local Government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Desley Boyle.
   Ms Boyle said money would be available for the 15 Councils to fill the gap left by the withdrawal of the Commonwealth’s Community Development Employment Projects program.
   “We introduced the Indigenous Economic Development Grants through the Department of Infrastructure and Planning to help Councils create real jobs – jobs that are ongoing and deliver services such as in water supply, roads maintenance and libraries,” Ms Boyle said.
   “The State Government has committed $1.44 million per annum over five years – a total of $7.2 million.”
   She said the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council, Yarrabah and Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Councils were each allocated $160,000 in 2009-10 and each of the remaining Aboriginal Shire Councils were allocated $80,000.
   Ms Boyle said half of their allocation was paid last September and the remaining half was paid earlier this year after Councils provided financial acquittals and reported back on what jobs would be created.
   “A number of Councils – Doomadgee, Mapoon, Mornington and Napranum Shire Councils – are yet to provide this information and I hope they do so soon to ensure they receive their second payment,” she said
   Ms Boyle said the Department of Infrastructure and Planning was also working with the Councils to improve financial and infrastructure management.
   “One particular focus for the Councils is exploring other revenue streams,” she said.
   “We’re also encouraging Councils to build partnerships and work towards long-term sustainability.

15 April, 2010

Tourism campaigns
showing the way

Holidaymakers in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane are to be tempted to try the Tropical Treats of Queensland and to Take time out. Don’t splash out in new tourism marketing campaigns announced by Tourism Queensland.
   Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Steve Wettenhall launched the Tropical Treats campaign, saying Tourism Queensland had joined with major industry partners Sunlover Holidays, Virgin Blue, and Tourism Tropical North Queensland to produce tropical treats such as ‘stay three nights and pay for two’.
   “The campaign, which incorporates more than 40 operators, includes television, print, online and in-store components and aims to attract more visitors to the region through the traditionally quieter months in the middle of the year,” Mr Wettenhall said.
   “Campaigns like this are having a tangible impact domestically and have helped to support the industry through a particularly tough year.”
   Chief Executive of Tourism Tropical North Queensland, Rob Giason said Cairns Regional Council was the organisation’s local partner for the campaign which aimed to encourage visitors to fly into Cairns and discover the region’s diversity.
   Minister for Tourism, Peter Lawlor said the Take time out. Don’t splash out campaign on the Sunshine Coast would run to 23 April to encourage more visitors to the Sunshine Coast between April and June.
   “The campaign aims to remind holidaymakers that the Sunshine Coast is a great destination in which to unwind, relax, indulge and re-charge the batteries without breaking the bank,” Mr Lawlor said.
   He said the $200,000 campaign would be advertised in press, radio, online and in travel e-newsletters in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
   Tourism Queensland’s Anthony Hayes said the campaigns continued Tourism Queensland’s run of great tourism marketing initiatives.
   “These campaigns showcase the Sunshine Coast’s stunning holiday assets while offering holidaymakers great deals and incentives to take some time away from home,” Mr Hayes said.

15 April, 2010
Training Awards closed
There have been 590 nominations for the Department of Education and Training’s 2010 Queensland Training Awards, which are now in their 49th year.
   Regional finals will be held in Far North Queensland, North Queensland, Central Queensland, Darling Downs South-West, North Coast, Metropolitan and South East areas during July and August.
   The State finals will take place in September, with State winners then competing at the Australian Training Awards in November.

New PS partnership
The Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) Queensland and PS News have entered a partnership to serve the Public Sector in Queensland better.
   The organisations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work closely together in the interests of their members and stakeholders and to foster professional development opportunities for the QPS. They aim to collect and publish timely and accurate information about the Service and related activities.
Representatives of both organisations welcomed the arrangement saying it would enhance their existing relationships with the PS.

Police Station upgraded
The redeveloped Fortitude Valley Police Station has been officially opened.
   The $16 million facility will service the growing demands of the Brisbane Central District and will house 105 general duties officers, Police Liaison Officers, a Criminal Investigation Branch, Tactical Crime Squad, Intelligence Officers, Administrative Officers and Station Client Service Officers.
   Situated on the corner of Brookes and Wickham Streets, the station supports a policing response and counter service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Funds for cancer services
Integrated cancer services in the Townsville region are to be developed thanks to over $70 million in Federal funding.
   The money will support the State’s contribution of almost $105 million to operate the Regional Cancer Centre initiative over the next four years.
   The Commonwealth will also provide $84.5 million for an expanded regional cancer service in Central Queensland, with the State contributing $28.39 million for the four-year period.

Tiling faults addressed
The Building Services Authority (BSA) held a free ceramic tiling seminar at Waterfront Hotel in Maroochydore on Tuesday (13 April) to outline the requirements of a new Tiling Standard.
   Floor tiling defects have been identified as the third most common problem reported to the BSA. At the seminar an industry expert explained the most commonly occurring tiling defects and demonstrated best practice tiling methods.

Subsidence purchases
A further five properties affected by subsidence due to mining activities in Collingwood Park have been purchased by the State.
   Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, Stephen Robertson said the latest purchases brought the total number of properties the State had offered to buy to 29 and the total cost of helping Collingwood Park residents affected by the mine subsidence to relocate or repair damage to their properties to almost $10 million.
   The Department of Mines and Energy, with the assistance of CSIRO mine subsidence experts, has commenced further studies on stabilising the undermined areas through back-filling.

8 April, 2010

QPS report in a
state of its own

By Alycia Brown

The Public Service Commission is developing the first State of the Service Report for the Queensland Public Service.
   Chief Executive of the PSC, Margaret Allison told PS News that the Commission was giving Public Servants the opportunity to participate in the report by completing a survey about their experience in the PS.
   Ms Allison said around 140,000 staff employed under the Public Service Act 2008 would be asked about their views on job satisfaction, attraction and retention, learning and development and leadership in the QPS.
   She said the employee survey would be rolled out across the Service from mid April.
   She said the 2010 State of the Service Report would look at trends in the QPS workforce profile, provide information on workforce management practices, investments in workforce capability, key public sector reforms and recent developments in integrity and accountability.
   The Commission is partnering with Queensland Treasury’s Office of Economic and Statistical Research (OESR) to conduct the survey.
   The OESR is the principal economic, demographic and social research agency for the Queensland Government and provides expert services to support national, whole-of-Government and agency policies, programs, and service delivery decisions.
   Ms Allison said OESR would analyse the survey responses and ensure the confidentiality of survey data was maintained at all times.
   She said after the survey was conducted, larger Agencies would be provided with aggregated and de-identified data specific to their organisations.
   She encouraged everyone to get involved, saying the employee survey was a great opportunity for staff to have a say on work practices and experiences.
   “With the strong focus on reform in Queensland, this is a great opportunity to identify both the strengths of the QPS and areas for improvement,” she said.
   Ms Allison said the report would help position the QPS to meet future challenges and enhance the delivery of Government services.
   It is expected to be published later this year.

8 April, 2010

Suspended staff
held in suspense

The Queensland Public Sector Union has called on the Government to consult with union members and staff to improve conditions for suspended Public Servants.
   President of the QPSU, Vivienne Doogan said suspensions could be dealt with faster to reduce the negative impacts they had on workers who were under investigation.
   “Queensland laws and procedural fairness ensures that public sector workers can get paid and access their entitlements should the employer suspend them because an allegation against them is being investigated,” Ms Doogan said.
   “We are aware that in some cases, timeframes for processing such allegations could be improved,” she said.
   “It is very stressful for workers to wait so long for outcomes to investigations and they would prefer for things to be expedited in nearly every case.”
   Ms Doogan said all workers were entitled to fairness and due process if they were suspended while their employer or the Crime and Misconduct Commission investigated an allegation against them.
   “Such cases can take quite some time to complete if there are legal matters to be finalised, like a coronial inquest or a Queensland Police investigation,” she said.
   “It’s procedural fairness that ensures affected workers who are facing as yet unproven allegations can get paid, feed their families, pay their bills and keep a roof above their heads while circumstances outside their control are addressed.”
   Assistant General Secretary of the union, Kate Flanders said that often, complaints against Public Servants were not warranted and were made by frustrated members of the public about issues beyond the control of the Public Servant.
   “Suspensions should be resolved quickly and fairly to ensure Public Servants are not put in limbo,” Ms Flanders said.
   “We want to see procedural fairness and investigations remain while the processes are sped up.
   “This is an issue we have been conscious of for a while.”
   She said Union representatives met with the Public Service commission last year to raise their concerns.
   Ms Flanders said the Union was open to holding further discussions on the topic.

8 April, 2010

Grounded coal ship
left high and dry

The State and Federal Governments are working together to keep damage to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park caused by the grounded bulk carrier Shen Neng 1 to a minimum.
   Maritime Safety Queensland activated a national oil spill response plan after the ship ran aground on a reef and ruptured a fuel tank approximately 70 kilometres east of Great Keppel Island.
   Premier, Anna Bligh said the vessel was in a restricted zone of the Park, approximately 13 nautical miles off its set course and well outside the authorised shipping corridor.
   Ms Bligh said the Australian Transport Safety Bureau would conduct a full investigation into the incident.
   “A small number of oil patches about two nautical miles south-east from the vessel have been identified,” Ms Bligh said.
   “Following approval from the Marine Park Authority, a light aircraft from Rockhampton has sprayed chemical dispersant on the spilled oil.
   “Further inspections will then assess the effectiveness of the dispersant.”
   The Premier said she was receiving regular briefings on the grounding.
   “This is a serious situation and we’ve mobilised air, sea and land resources from Brisbane, Gladstone, Rockhampton and north of Cairns in response,” she said.
   “Maritime Safety Queensland experts have set up control rooms in Brisbane and at the Port of Gladstone.”
   The Premier said the situation remained serious as the extent of the damage meant there was a very real risk of the vessel breaking apart.
   The carrier is not expected to be moved without salvage assistance.

8 April, 2010

Minister pays out
on payroll troubles

Transition to a new computer payroll system is being blamed for pay problems at Queensland Health.
   Deputy Premier and Minister for Health, Paul Lucas said he was “extremely concerned” about the transition issues.
   “People’s pay is their money, not Queensland Health’s,” Mr Lucas said, “and that is why it must be sorted out immediately.
   “This is part of going to a new pay system that will be better for everybody in the longer term but I apologise for any errors in the transition.”
   Deputy Director-General of Queensland Health, Michael Kalimnios apologised to staff who were paid incorrectly due to the switch-over to the new $40 million system.
   The new system was installed after the old one overpaid workers by millions of dollars in the past five years.
   Mr Lucas said Queensland Health had been working closely with staff and unions in the lead up to the changeover and would continue to work with them to remedy the transitional problems.
   Due to the implementation of the new system, 140,000 manual adjustments reflecting roster changes and casual timesheets had to be entered into the system, Mr Lucas said.
   He said the payroll changes saw 74,000 employees on 13 different awards and 13 agreements throughout Queensland transferred to the new system.
   Assistant General Secretary of the Queensland Public Sector Union, Kate Flanders told PS News the payroll problem was an “unfortunate circumstance” that was likely to take “a little while to iron out.”
   Ms Flanders said Health payroll staff were working long hours to remedy the situation.
   “Those workers are doing their very best.”
   She said Queensland Health had set up a helpline on (07) 3636 0737 for employees who had problems with their pay and urged members to contact it for further information.
   Mr Lucas said anyone who had been charged bank or dishonour fees due to the pay trouble would be reimbursed by Queensland Health.
“I would also like to thank our own HR and payroll officers who are working very hard to correct any errors in pay,” he said.
   “Our Queensland Health workers do a wonderful job, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and have every right to expect to get their pay in time without hitches.”

8 April, 2010

Plan takes planning
body’s plan award

A resource management plan prepared by the Department of Environment and Resource Management has won the Planning Institute of Australia’s Planning Minister’s Award.
   Minister for Natural Resources, Stephen Robertson said the South-East Queensland Natural Resource Management Plan 2009-2031 addressed strategic environmental issues including population growth, climate change, new infrastructure, housing and services.
   “The plan was developed in collaboration with State and Local Governments, non-Government organisations, traditional owners and natural resource management groups,” Mr Robertson said.
   “This plan coordinates the efforts of environment workers and natural resource management groups to guide sustainable development.”
   The Minister said the plan made many contributions to professional planning practice and regional planning.
   “The targets in the plan raise the level of sophistication in the planning discipline by providing measurable performance indicators,” he said.
   “This achievement is made more significant as the targets have been agreed on by all major contributors and will form the basis for making and implementing decisions to develop, maintain or protect land, water, vegetation and ecosystems.”
   Mr Robertson said he was proud of the Department of Environment and Resource Management’s contribution to the planning process.
   “Staff provided considerable resources and expertise to assist in the development of the plan and more than 1,000 people were consulted in the development phase,” he said.
   The award-winning South-East Queensland Natural Resource Management Plan 2009-2031 could be accessed at www.derm.qld.gov.au

8 April, 2010

Great workers thanked
by grateful Minister

Staff from the Department of Communities have been thanked by the Minister for Community Services, Karen Struthers, for their recovery efforts in the wake of the recent Cyclone Ului.
   Ms Struthers said that since recovery centres opened on 21 March, staff had helped over 6,600 people with Emergency Assistance Grants in the Mackay and Whitsundays area.
   “So far, we’ve paid out more than $2.2 million to help the community rebuild after Cyclone Ului,” Ms Struthers said.
   The Minister said staff at the centres had in turn praised the community for their patience.
   “It’s been a difficult time for some members of the community and they’ve shown great resolve and patience to get through this,” she said.
   “Department staff have also been great in working from dusk to dawn to make sure people are getting the help they need.”
   Ms Struthers said security guards had helped organise people waiting for assistance to ensure the most urgent cases were seen to first.
   She said recovery centres in Mackay and the Whitsundays had now closed but residents could still receive assistance.
   The Minister said residents who needed help could phone 1800 173 349 or 1800 173 349 or visit www.communityservices.qld.gov.au
   Ms Struthers said while the damage bill from the cyclone was expected to run into millions of dollars, no deaths or serious injuries were reported.

8 April, 2010

Watchdog slings
off at baby slings

The Office of Fair Trading has issued a warning to parents to take care using baby slings on children less than four months of age.
   Minister for Fair Trading, Peter Lawlor said three babies in the United States died last year and a total of 14 babies had died in the US over the past 20 years as a result of parents using baby slings.
   “Findings from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission reveal slings can pose two different types of suffocation hazards to babies,” Mr Lawlor said.
   “A sling’s fabric can press against a baby’s nose and mouth, blocking their breathing and causing suffocation within a minute or two.”
   He said another danger was that when cradled in a curved or “C-like” position, babies who did not have strong neck control could flop their head forward, chin-to-chest, which restricted their ability to breathe.
   “The baby will not be able to cry for help and can slowly suffocate,” Mr Lawlor said.
   “Excessive fabric with an elasticised edge may also cover the baby’s face inhibiting breathing.
   “Furthermore, some sling designs may cause the baby’s face to turn in toward a caregiver’s body, potentially smothering the baby.”
   Mr Lawlor said many of the babies who died in slings were either born premature, of low birth weight or had breathing issues such as a cold.
   “Therefore, it is important for parents of these babies to consult with their paediatrician as to the suitability of these products before using them,” he said.

8 April, 2010

Mining safety report
worth weight in gold

A report on the safety performance of the mining industry in 2008-09 has been released by the Minister for Mines and Energy, Stephen Robertson.
   Mr Robertson said the Queensland Mines and Quarries Safety Performance and Health Report 2008-2009, produced by the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, revealed a general improvement in safety and health in the State’s mines and quarries.
   He said the ‘lost time injury frequency rate’, which measures the number of injuries per million hours worked, was down from 4.3 to 3.4.
   Mr Robertson said the report reflected industry’s efforts to make mines and quarries safer for the 40,000 workers in the sector.
   However, according to the report, the average number of days lost due to injury and illness rose from 32.9 days to 36.6 days per injury.
   Although there were fewer injuries overall, those injuries that did occur were more serious.
   “The most sobering statistic is on page 13 of the report,” Mr Robertson said.
   “Four people died in 2008-2009 in mining and quarry tragedies that shouldn’t have happened.
   “The industry watchdog, the Queensland Mines Inspectorate, is working rigorously with industry and mining unions to ensure the highest safety standards are met and maintained.”
   He said while Queensland had the best mine safety legislation in Australia, it had to be enforced, “mine by mine, quarry by quarry”.
   Mr Robertson said nothing was more important than the safety and health of the men and women who worked in Queensland’s mines and quarries.
   “While royalties from mining help build our schools and hospitals, put police on the beat and teachers in our classrooms, safety must always come first,” he said.
   The report was available from www.dme.qld.gov.au

8 April, 2010

Survey rates Councils
on communication

A survey of community engagement at the Local Government level by the Department of Infrastructure and Planning has revealed which Councils were doing well relating to their ratepayers and which weren’t.
   Minister for Local Government, Desley Boyle said the survey, Report on the annual return on community engagement 2009, showed Balonne, Banana and Maranoa Regional Councils were among the top performers when it came to community engagement.
   “Queensland Councils recognise the value of communication, with 90 per cent reporting they used a range of methods to keep ratepayers informed,” Ms Boyle said
   “The data shows Councils recognise the importance of engaging with their communities as part of normal Council business.”
   However, she said the survey also showed Councils had some work to do.
   Of the 54 Councils who returned the community engagement survey, 51.9 per cent allocated specific community engagement roles and responsibilities to staff; 44.4 per cent had a community engagement management guide or consistent communications process in place and 29.6 per cent had developed formal community engagement policies.
   “The survey shows there is room for improvement in the way community engagement is undertaken and evaluated,” Ms Boyle said.
   “Only a third of Councils in the survey said they had developed formal community engagement policies to guide their engagement process.”
   She said the survey showed just one in three Councils had taken the next step and integrated the outcomes of their community engagement with asset management planning.
   “These factors add up to lost opportunities which could also affect the long-term financial position of the Council,” Ms Boyle said.
   “As well as looking at whether an advertisement in the local paper or a community meeting is needed, Councils need to be considering community engagement in all aspects of Local Government business.”
   She said the State would regularly collect data on community engagement to help Local Government move to self-reporting.
   The full report was available from www.dip.qld.gov.au

8 April, 2010

All fun and games in
schools’ games guide

A new guide for playing games in schools has been launched by the Minister for Sports, Phil Reeves.
   Games Smart — A Guide for Schools, incorporates video clips showing teachers how to insert active play and games into their students’ day.
   “This will give primary school teachers a hand to get their students off their chairs and fit and active,” Mr Reeves said.
   “Active children are more likely to become active adults and there is no better environment to encourage children’s participation in physical activity than in our schools.”
   Former footballer, Steve Renouf attended the launch of the guide, saying as a father of five, he knew how important it was to take every opportunity to keep kids active.
   “There are so many distractions these days for kids, from video games to mobile phones,” Mr Renouf said.
   The guide, which is contained on a USB drive, is being circulated to teachers through the Queensland Government’s Get Active schools workshops, where elite Queensland athletes visit schools to inspire students, as well as through Department of Education and Training teacher conferences and workshops.
   Mr Reeves said teachers were busy professionals.
   “The resource is designed to help improve primary school classroom teachers’ skills and confidence to encourage participation in safe and good-quality physical activity,” he said.
   The ‘stars’ of the resource are the teachers and students from Junction Park State School in Brisbane’s inner southern suburbs.
   Further information about the Games Smart resource was available from www.sportrec.qld.gov.au

8 April, 2010

Gladstone bags
30-year plan

A 30-year master plan for the Port of Gladstone has been released by the Premier, Anna Bligh.
   Ms Bligh said the Port of Gladstone Western Basin Master Plan was essential for good growth management in the region.
   She said the plan would help harness the opportunities presented by the recent $60 billion LNG agreement for Gladstone.
   “The Port of Gladstone is one of the largest natural resource exporting facilities on the eastern seaboard and one of three major ports in Queensland,” Ms Bligh said.
   “This makes the port a strategic asset, a key driver for the State’s economic prosperity and a major contributor to the Australian economy.”
   The Premier said the release of the plan was the result of a collaborative partnership between stakeholders such as Gladstone Regional Council and Gladstone Port Corporation.
   She said the plan covered an overall area of around 12,000 hectares and identified current and planned land and marine uses and future infrastructure development such as pipeline corridors, transport networks and potential bridge access to Curtis Island.
   Port activities, including common-user channels, dredging and disposal options over the next 30 years are also included in the blueprint.
   Ms Bligh said the plan also examined conservation and the potential for environmental areas to be set aside as part of the required mitigation measures.
   Coordinator-General, Colin Jensen said he would continue to consult and discuss with stakeholders on further requirements needed to adapt and implement the plan over time.
   “The master plan provides a development framework for the western basin and will help assess the cumulative impacts of projects on the port and surrounding land,” Mr Jensen said.
   “We will also continue to consider the master plan with industry proponents both individually and collectively as their project assessments continue.”
   The Port of Gladstone Western Basin Master Plan is available for download from www.dip.qld.gov.au

8 April, 2010

Summit goes to town
on regionalisation

A strategy for the regionalisation of services and communities is to be developed for Queensland following the successful conclusion of the Growth Management Summit.
   Premier, Anna Bligh said the one of the messages to come out of the Summit was that regionalisation should play a greater role in managing Queensland’s growth.
   “Recent Australian Bureau of Statistics data has shown that the South-East Queensland Plan, aimed at driving growth in and around Ipswich, is working,” Ms Bligh said.
   “The data showed that Ipswich was the fastest growing Local Government Area in Queensland, jumping from an average of 2.8 per cent per year 10 years ago to five per cent growth in 2009.”
   The Premier said a survey of Summit participants found 74 per cent believed growth in regions could help relieve pressures in SEQ.
   Ms Bligh said 85 per cent also believed it was very important to encourage population growth in other regions.
   She said over 10,000 Queenslanders had visited the Queensland Growth Management Summit interactive website and more than 1,600 used the SEQ Futures Tool to demonstrate their priorities and model future scenarios.
   “More than 1,100 Queenslanders watched People’s Question Time last week and more than 3,000 have participated in various industry and community events in the lead up to the Summit,” Ms Bligh said.
   “Within two weeks, a summary of the proceedings will be available on the Queensland Growth Management Summit.”
   She committed the Government to responding to the ideas put forward at the Summit by mid-May.

8 April, 2010

Partnership plumps
for plum deal

A plum bred by scientists from the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation is to be marketed commercially as a high value ingredient for health drinks.
   A partnership between DEEDI and the company Nutrafruit Pty Ltd will have the Queen Garnet plum produced as a high-antioxidant fresh fruit variety and as a nutraceutical ingredient.
   Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland, Tim Mulherin said the plum’s major attraction was its high level of anthocyanin - the antioxidant responsible for giving the fruit its rich, garnet-red colour.
   “Researchers have determined that one glass of Queen Garnet plum juice contains as much antioxidant as drinking two small glasses of red wine, six cups of tea or 12 glasses of orange juice,” Mr Mulherin said.
   “Research suggests that high levels of antioxidants, especially anthocyanins, can help reduce the inflammation that is an underlying cause of certain cancers, heart disease and neurological degenerative disorders.”
   The Minister said the compounds had been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth in several studies overseas.
   Principal Experimentalist at DEEDI, Dougal Russell said researchers were continuing work on other healthy plum breeding lines, as the commercial agreement with Nutrafruit extended to include collaborations through future research.
   “Our breeding program here in Queensland is in a selection phase where we are identifying other new high-anthocyanin plums,” Mr Russell said.
   “The aim is to increase the harvest window by developing a suite of high-antioxidant fresh-market and processing plum varieties that ripen from December through to March.”
Director of Nutrafruit, Hugh Macintosh said apart from investing in research into the health benefits of the Queen Garnet plum, the company had other big plans for the fruit.
   “We are looking at processing the plum as a high-antioxidant ingredient for health drinks and related products, and as other nutraceuticals, such as vitamin tablets,” Mr Macintosh said.

8 April, 2010

Design Council has
designs on designs

A Queensland Design Council has been set up to help establish the State as a leading design economy.
   Premier and Minister for the Arts, Anna Bligh announced the Council, saying it was a key initiative of the Queensland Design Strategy 2020.
   “Queensland is a leader in design, embracing the idea of design-led thinking and the value of the design industry to the economy and our future,” Ms Bligh said.
   “This is the first time such a broad team of experts has been brought together to drive a design agenda.”
   She said the Council would bolster the Government’s ambition to be a design hub for the Asia Pacific region and would advise it on design-led solutions to 21st century social, economic and environmental challenges.
   “This advice will align with our Toward Q2 ambitions for a strong, green, smart, healthy and fair Queensland,” Ms Bligh said.
   Design Council members are Julianne Schultz (chair), Michael Rayner, Yassmin Abdel-Magied, Mara Bun, Dawn Casey, Sean Cummins, Alexander Loterstztain, Richard Munao, Chris Rodwell and Suzi Vaughan.
   Ms Bligh also highlighted two other opportunities for the State’s designers to showcase their work, reminding designers the Shanghai World Expo and the Venice Architecture Biennale would be held this year.
   She said the Government’s HEAT initiative. which aimed to promote environmental architecture, would showcase architects to leading international business people.
   “The Queensland Government will provide $60,000 to the Australian Pavilion at the 2010 Venice Architecture Biennale in October, with Surfers Paradise one of the areas of focus for the NOW + WHEN Australian Urbanism exhibition in the Pavilion.”
   She said further information on the Queensland Design Council was available from www.artsqld.gov.au

8 April, 2010

Grants program puts
art in the picture

A new program of assistance for regional art galleries to expand their activities has been announced by the Minister for the Arts and Premier, Anna Bligh.
   Ms Bligh said the Regional Galleries Partnership Program would deliver $200,000 a year for next three years to strengthen the programming and development of Queensland galleries.
   “This means more than 40 galleries throughout Queensland will now have a dedicated pool of funding to draw upon for exhibition projects, touring activities, artist-in-residence programs and for developing collaborative activities with each other,” Ms Bligh said.
   “The program will offer individual galleries up to $50,000 in creative development funding with an expectation of cash or an in-kind contribution from local Councils.”
   She said the Regional Galleries Partnership Program had been developed in response to industry consultation carried out in 2009.
   “We’ve listened to what is important for regional galleries and what they need to operate effectively and implement long-term planning solutions,” Ms Bligh said.
   “The program recognises the integral contribution that Queensland regional galleries make to the vitality of the visual arts in our State and to the cultural life of their communities in particular.”
   The Premier said the program was a highlight of artbeat: Regional Arts and Culture Strategy 2010-2014 which detailed the Government’s commitment to working with regional communities and Local and Federal Governments to achieve common goals in the arts.
   The Regional Galleries Partnership Program is supported by Arts Queensland and the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy, an initiative of the Australian, State and Territory Governments.
   Applications for grants close on 31 May with further information available from www.arts.qld.gov.au

8 April, 2010

Vaccination clinics
a shot in the arm

School vaccination clinics that saw almost 110,000 children vaccinated against swine flu on weekends have been hailed a success by Queensland Health.
   The fifth and final weekend of the first round of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza (human swine flu) clinics drew 26,700 people and took the total vaccinations under the program to 108,800 and the State total overall to 826,000.
   Chief Health Officer, Dr Jeannette Young said second-round clinics were being arranged for children from six months to nine years, as they needed to have a second dose of the vaccine at least 28 days after their first dose.
   Dr Young said the first of those clinics would be held on the weekend of 17 April.
   “Although these clinics are primarily for children receiving their second dose, any member of the public who attends and has not been vaccinated against human swine influenza will be able to receive the vaccine,” Dr Young said.
   “Queensland Health continues to encourage everyone to take the opportunity to be vaccinated - vaccination is particularly important for babies aged six months and older, children and adolescents to help protect themselves and the broader community.”
   She said a second wave of swine flu was expected to occur this year and that the number of deaths reported globally by the World Health Organisation was nearly 17,000 - almost double the number reported in November 2009.
   Dr Young said people could be immunised against human swine flu and still receive the seasonal flu vaccination when it became widely available.
   “My advice is to get the free human swine flu vaccination now and then get the seasonal flu vaccine as soon as you can from your GP or another vaccination provider.
   “However, I would suggest that people make their vaccination provider aware if they have had the human swine flu vaccination,” she said.
   Last year to 1 December, Queensland Health emergency departments experienced a total of 47,643 presentations for flu and winter symptoms, an increase of 15,069 on the previous year.
   While nearly 40,000 cases of human swine flu have been officially notified in Australia (close to 12,000 in Queensland), Dr Young said the number of actual cases would be much greater as many people with symptoms had not been tested or notified.
   Queensland has had 41 deaths associated with the virus out of the 191 nationally.
   Further information on swine flu and vaccinations was available from www.health.qld.gov.au

8 April, 2010

Bundaberg Rangers
outfox foxes

Parks and Wildlife rangers in Bundaberg’s Mon Repos area have claimed victory in protecting marine turtles from foxes.
   Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, Kate Jones said fox-baiting programs had led to a dramatic turnaround in the marine turtle populations in the region from the Elliott River north to Bustard Head.
   Ms Jones said since comprehensive fox-baiting programs had been introduced, nests destroyed by foxes had been reduced from 90 per cent of the total to less than five per cent.
   “This nesting season, Mon Repos staff and volunteers recorded about 1,600 turtle nests made with about 200,000 eggs laid,” Ms Jones said.
   “No clutches were destroyed by foxes along the Woongarra Coast this year.”
   She said a few hatchlings were eaten on the beach by foxes but that without fox control, large numbers of the nests would not have survived and most of the eggs would have been destroyed.
   Ms Jones said the Bundaberg coast, south of the Burnett River, hosted the eastern Australian shoreline’s biggest population of nationally-threatened marine turtles including loggerhead, flatback and green turtles.
   She said the benefits of the fox baiting program would be seen on the adult turtle population over the next decade.
   “Loggerhead turtles take 30 years to mature so the impact of protecting turtle nests from foxes in 1990 will not be seen on the nesting beaches with increased numbers of resulting adults until one generation later, in about 2020,” Ms Jones said.
   “That’s why our pest management program keeps the focus on eliminating predators and increasing hatchling production.”
   She said fox-baiting was carried out three times a year – before the start of the nesting season, again before hatchlings began to emerge and also before the fox breeding season.
   Minister for Tourism, Peter Lawlor said the increase in turtle activity had attracted more visitors to the Mon Repos rookery with a 15 per cent rise on the previous season.
   “From November to March, the number of visitors increased by almost 3,400 to nearly 26,300 over the 2008/09 season, while the number of nesting marine turtles rose from 274 to 405,” Mr Lawlor said.
   “This is a great result for the promotional efforts of Bundaberg North Burnett Tourism and a credit to the ongoing conservation efforts of the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers.”

8 April, 2010
Young professionals meet
The Institute of Public Administration Australia (Queensland) is to host its annual Young Professionals’ CEO Breakfast next Tuesday, 13 April, from 7am.
   More than 400 young professionals are expected to attend the Sofitel Brisbane Central event to hear addresses from the Executive Director of the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, Paul Martyn; CEO of Brisbane City Council Jude Munro; Jill Charker from the Australian Bureau of Statistics; and author Dr Harry Zaphir.
   For more information visit www.qld.ipaa.org.au

Archives hosts seminars
Queensland State Archives is hosting free recordkeeping seminars to help Public Servants understand recordkeeping requirements and policy frameworks.
   As part of the seminar series, representatives from the Archives will visit regional areas to provide advice on best practice recordkeeping.
   The seminars will also include training on how to encourage other Public Servants to adopt recordkeeping requirements.
   Seminars will be held at Mount Isa, Longreach, Cairns, Townsville, Brisbane, Toowoomba and Rockhampton. Further information was available from www.archives.qld.gov.au

Battery alert for smoke alarms
The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service is urging Queenslanders to change the batteries in their smoke alarms.
   Laws introduced over three years ago require all homes to have a smoke alarm.
   Commissioner of the QFRS, Lee Johnson said cleaning and testing smoke alarms went hand-in-hand with replacing the batteries.

Panel members wanted
The Department of Infrastructure and Planning is setting up a number of Regional Conduct Review Panels to review complaints against Local Government Councillors.
   The Department is calling applications for membership of Councils in the Central, South East, Southern, Northern and Far North regions.
   Application kits are on the Department’s website at www.dip.qld.gov.au and more information can be obtained from (07) 3224 7073 or rcrpenquiries@dip.qld.gov.au
   Applications close 12 April.

Trees give life to rest stop
About 200 rare tree saplings have been planted at the Burra Range rest area west of Charters Towers on the Flinders Highway.
   The plantings were part of a project by the Department of Main Roads to improve the rest area. Two sheltered picnic facilities and an amenities block have also been build under the project.
   The saplings, Acacia ramiflora have recently been taken off the endangered species list.

Hats off to gallery
Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones, is the latest international exhibition to show exclusively in Australia at the Queensland Art Gallery.
   It is a touring exhibition from London’s Victoria and Albert Museum and features more than 250 hats and iconic headpieces.
   The exhibition will be on display until 27 June. Admission is free.

Police station open
The $4.2 million Springfield Police Station has been officially opened.
   The new facility will house 18 general duties officers which includes 10 newly-created positions.
   The new station is a modern, purpose-built facility and is expected to provide police with the resources needed to keep up with growing demands in the community.

Heritage grants open
Applications for the third annual Cultural Heritage Grants Program, aimed at small-scale works for sites and objects which protect and strengthen Indigenous ties to their culture, are now open.
   Funding of up to $15,000 is available for protecting cultural heritage and funding of up to $10,000 can be obtained for office facilities and equipment.
   Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander bodies can apply for the program which closes on 7 May.
   There are 28,000 sites on the Department of Environment and Resource Management’s cultural heritage database.

Flying foxes fly off
Officers from the Department of Environment and Resource Management and the RSPCA are to ensure the removal of flying foxes from North Eton is humane.
   It was decided the flying foxes would be moved on after inspections showed the young were independent enough to be dispersed.
   The flying foxes have caused problems for residents, with between 6,000 and 10,000 flying foxes present at any one time.

1 April, 2010

Auditor revved up
over ‘09 Grand Prix

An audit into the failure of A1 Grand Prix to participate in last year’s SuperGP event on the Gold Coast has identified “fundamental weaknesses” in due diligence and governance processes.
   Auditor-General, Glenn Poole said the audit report, Audit of A1 Grand Prix Agreements, focused on the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport’s (A1GP’s) failure to comply with its contractual obligation to participate in the event.
   Mr Poole said the SuperGP was undertaken by the Gold Coast Motor Events Co. (GCMEC), a partnership in which the State Government held a 50 per cent interest.
   The audit looked at the due diligence conducted in deciding to contract the A1GP group, contract performance monitoring, governance arrangements established by the Department of Communities and the financial implications of A1GP’s early contract termination.
   Mr Poole said the due diligence processes undertaken in preparation for the agreement with A1GP were inadequate, primarily due to time constraints.
   “There was an absence or limited amount of documentation available which would have demonstrated the analysis undertaken and key decisions made during the negotiation process,” he said.
   The Auditor-General said the due diligence problems also seemed to affect the effectiveness of GCMEC’s contract monitoring process.
   Mr Poole said GCMEC had a “lack of knowledge of the relationships and financial dependencies” within the A1GP group of companies and that improved clarity about the roles and responsibilities of the parties involved was needed.
   He said a simpler management structure should be considered for future events to enable greater clarity of responsibilities and more effective Government oversight.
   Mr Poole said when part of the A1GP group went into liquidation in July 2009, the information provided by the group to the GCMEC was “significantly different” from liquidation information accessed during the audit.
   In an audit response from GCMEC, the company said the information provided by A1GP was “misleading and obscured the real situation of A1GP.”
   In making his recommendations to the Department of Communities, the responsible Department, Mr Poole said improved due diligence and adequate documentation processes were needed to ensure proper analysis was undertaken before future event contracts were signed.
   He recommended contracts include formal commitments, guarantees and progressive performance targets to allow for early termination if non-performance was identified.
   “Where the nature of the event is such that progressive performance targets are not possible, an appropriate risk identification and monitoring program should be developed and actively implemented,” Mr Poole said.
   He recommended a governance structure which enables effective government oversight through formal reporting and monitoring be implemented for future major events.
   Mr Poole said the overall financial outcome of the event was “heavily dependent upon” whether GCMEC recovered the US$1.837 million (A$2mn) payment made to A1GP.
   The full report could be accessed at www.qao.qld.gov.au

1 April, 2010

Brisbane buses stop
rest in their tracks

A public transport expert from Sydney has proclaimed Brisbane’s bus system to be one of the best value-for-money transport networks in the world.
   Professor David Hensher from the University of Sydney’s Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies, made the claim saying Brisbane’s integrated system was the best in the country.
   “It’s so well known around the world now, it’s almost inherent,” Professor Hensher said.
   “It’s put Brisbane on the international map as an example in best practice in delivering public transport in terms of dollars laid.”
   Minister for Transport, Rachel Nolan welcomed the comments which were made following a survey published by the university showing a higher percentage of Queenslanders thought public transport across Queensland had improved over the past year – more than any other Australian State.
   Ms Nolan said that in February, 385 services had been added to the network, providing an extra 20,000 seats per week.
   She said an extra 365 services per week running through the Clem 7 Tunnel provided another 18,000 seats per week.
   “We’re well on the way to meeting our election commitment of providing an additional 301,000 seats per week on the transport network this year,” Ms Nolan said.
   “We’re investing $7 billion in new infrastructure this year to improve public transport and congestion on our roads.”
She said work was currently underway on the next stage of the Northern Busway from Windsor to Kedron and the Eastern Busway from the South East Busway at Buranda to Main Avenue, Coorparoo.

1 April, 2010

Fair result for
Fair Trading

A report on the activities of the Office of Fair Trading since July last year has revealed inspectors visited over 2,500 retailers, tested more than 4,200 measuring instruments and inspected over 27,000 separately packaged products on shelves.
   Minister for Fair Trading, Peter Lawlor said the tests and inspections were carried out as part of continuing compliance activities involving the weight, size or volume of consumer products.
   Mr Lawlor said Office of Fair Trading (OFT) Inspectors made sure businesses were measuring and calculating prices correctly for customers by testing measuring instruments
   “This included instruments such as scales used to weigh anything from fresh fruit and vegetables bought at weekend markets and sausages from the butcher, through to bowsers pumping out fuel,” Mr Lawlor said.
   “Almost 100 traders were found to be incorrectly measuring their goods.”
   The Minister said any type of product in a packet, container or other packaging could be checked, such as meat packed at abattoirs, shampoo or toilet paper from supermarket shelves, bags of lollies bought at the service station or bottles of chemicals used in industry.
   “Almost 12 per cent - or 3,203 - of the 27,000 packaged items tested were found to be short measure,” he said.
   Mr Lawlor said retailers incorrectly weighing and dispensing goods and businesses incorrectly packing goods could end up paying for their mistakes.
   “The OFT is determined to ensure Queenslanders get what they pay for and that traders, knowingly or unwittingly, aren’t ripping people off,” he said.
   “As a result of our latest compliance checks, 1,297 formal warnings were issued.
   “Another 141 infringement notices were handed out mostly because of pre-packed items having a different quantity to what’s on the label or for failing to allow for the weight of the plastic tub or paper bag when measuring.”
   Mr Lawlor said traders with minor discrepancies were likely to receive warnings, with infringement notices or prosecutions being issued for more serious offences.
   He said Fair Trading had finalised two prosecutions against one company relating to short measure pre-packed articles with a $6,000 fine paid.

1 April, 2010

Green space plan
gets green light

A draft strategy for protecting green space in Queensland has been launched by the Premier, Anna Bligh.
   Ms Bligh said opening up and creating more green space for Queenslanders to enjoy was part of the Government’s growth management strategy.
   “More green space is essential if South East Queensland is to retain the lifestyle we are famous for,” Ms Bligh said.
   “The best estimates say our population in SEQ will grow from around three million today to 4.4 million in 2031.”
   The Premier said the Draft Queensland Greenspace Strategy provided a guide to future planning and development of green space.
   She said the strategy included promoting additional green space by making new parkland mandatory on all new housing developments; undertaking a statewide inventory of land available for green space by the end of 2010; and identifying other areas for possible green space with private landowners.
   She joined MP for Sandgate, Vicky Darling to also announce plans for a 40-hectare new bushland park.
   Ms Bligh said the new Fitzgibbon Bushland Park would emerge out of State-owned land that had been inaccessible to the public for many years.
   She said it would include 2.7 kilometres of bushland walking trails, a ‘kick-about’ space with a turfed multi-purpose area large enough for social ball games, a multi-purpose games court, fitness equipment, picnic shelters and barbecue and seating facilities.
   “We are on track to see construction start in May this year and the park should be open by 2011,” Ms Bligh said.
   Ms Darling said the park would be a welcome addition to the green space in her constituency.
   The Premier urged members of the public to have a say on the Greenspace Strategy by 7 May. The strategy could be viewed at www.dip.qld.gov.au

1 April, 2010

MIAC pops cork on
Third Party review

The Motor Accident Insurance Commission is to conduct a review of the Compulsory Third Party (CTP) motor accident insurance scheme.
   Treasurer, Andrew Fraser said 2010 CTP levels were lower than those of 2003 and that the review would examine the model for further improvements.
   “We last did a review of the CTP scheme in 1999,” Mr Fraser said.
   “That review delivered competition in the setting of insurance premiums and gave motorists choice between insurers.
   “Our premiums today are lower than they were in 2003, however the competition that has characterised premium setting in recent years has reduced.”
   The Treasurer said insurers in the last two quarters had “filed at the ceiling”, reducing choice and competitive tension.
   “I want to ensure that the CTP system in this State is providing the best value for money for Queensland motorists,” he said.
   Mr Fraser said public consultation would be sought on the review which is expected to be completed by the middle of this year.
   He said the review aimed to improve efficiencies in the delivery of CTP insurance by ensuring administration and delivery costs were as low as possible to benefit motor vehicle owners.
   He assured motorists that the review would not impact on claimant benefits, which were outside its scope.
   “If premiums can be driven lower through further reforms or changes to the way our scheme is structured, then the Government will pursue these reforms,” Mr Fraser said.

1 April, 2010

New coast laws
beachy keen

New laws passed in Parliament have clarified the boundaries of the State’s beaches, protecting the public’s right to use them.
   Minister for Natural Resources, Stephen Robertson said new surveying rules would clear up uncertainties about where coastal boundaries lie.
   “We’ve drawn a line in the sand,” Mr Robertson said.
   “We’ve set clear boundaries about who owns what along our beaches.”
   He said the Natural Resources and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 clarifies the location of land boundaries that, by nature, shift with the movement of the sea, rivers and creeks.
   “One of the main catalysts for change was the growing concern that beaches could be taken into private ownership,” Mr Robertson said.
   “This followed a Court ruling that set a precedent allowing landholders to incorporate more public beachfront land into a new survey plan.”
   The Minister said in order to stop the practice, the Government placed a moratorium on the registration of certain types of survey plans while it developed a fair solution.
   “There has been a fundamental and longstanding belief by Queenslanders that our beaches are there for all to enjoy and should not become privately-owned where access can be denied,” Mr Robertson said.
   “This legislation ensures the right to access our beautiful beaches.”
   The new legislation will take effect in the coming weeks.

1 April, 2010

Building energy code
reaches for 6 stars

A new national building code for 6-star energy efficiency is to be adopted in Queensland.
   Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Stirling Hinchliffe said the changes would affect new houses, townhouses and major renovations from 1 May.
   Mr Hinchliffe said the amendments would be made through the Queensland Development Code (QDC) 4.1 – Sustainable Building but development applications submitted before the new building code began did not need to comply with the new or amended code.
   “Similarly, building certifiers have discretion to not apply new or amended codes in cases where planning of a building was well advanced before the new or amended code began and it would take more than minor changes to make the application comply,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
   He said his Department had organised a Tropical Design forum in Cairns in early March to discuss a range of options for the 6-star (or equivalent) code with industry, academia and local representatives.
   “This forum was specifically designed to discuss the suitability of 6-star to Queensland’s tropical and sub-tropical climate areas,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
   He said there was a general acceptance of the move to the higher performance standard provided the provisions continued to encourage enduring tropical and sub-tropical design principles and delivered a flexible framework that promoted innovative solutions.
   “Consequently, the Department is drafting a proposed amendment to QDC 4.1 to implement 6-star (or equivalent) which addresses the key industry concerns from the forum and will be released in the coming weeks,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
   He said the energy efficiency rating of a home was determined by the design and efficiency of the roof, walls, windows and floors.
   “Typically, the higher the star rating, the greater the benefit in colder climate zone,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
   “There is typically less benefit of a higher star rating in tropical and sub-tropical climate zones.
   “For this reason, I’m approving the amendment so our unique climate is taken into consideration.”
   The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) announced the introduction of the 6-star requirements in the Building Code of Australia (BCA) 2010 on 30 April 2009.
   Under the COAG agreement, all jurisdictions have undertaken to adopt 6-star by 2011.
   Mr Hinchliffe said a factsheet was available from www.dip.qld.gov.au

1 April, 2010

New drive to protect
cassowaries from cars

New electronic road signs are to be installed on the Tully-Mission Beach Road in an effort to warn motorists to be alert for cassowaries.
   Minister for Main Roads, Craig Wallace said the decision to install the Variable Message Signs (VMS) and other initiatives was a result of discussions between the Government and representatives of the local conservation group, C4.
   “These initiatives include additional signage, rumble strips, line-marking and an extension of the 60-kilometre speed zone for an additional 500 metres along the Tully-Mission Beach Road between Mission Circle and Ocean View Drive,” Mr Wallace said.
   “They will be trialled for a period of 12 months to determine their effectiveness.”
   Mr Wallace said if the initiatives were successful they would become permanent and placed at other cassowary hot spots across the far north.
   He said the measures were raised at a workshop attended by community and conservation groups and representatives from Local, State and Federal Government Departments.
   “This workshop also generated many other interesting and creative ideas that will be passed on to appropriate Agencies for their future consideration and possible implementation,” Mr Wallace said.
   The Minister said the VMS would be installed immediately to raise driver awareness of the trial zone and the extension of the 60km speed zone.
   “Driver behaviour is the key to success with this cassowary trial, and we work to influence that as much as possible in circumstances such as these,” Mr Wallace said.
   He urged motorists to drive with care and obey all signage when travelling through known cassowary crossing areas – “these beautiful creatures are endangered and deserve our respect.”

1 April, 2010

City Centre is
child-free zone

A new report detailing the findings of a study into population changes in inner Brisbane has found that couples without children and lone-person households dominate the city’s demographic make-up.
   The report, Inner Brisbane reinvents itself, was released in time for the Queensland Growth Management Summit.
   It studied population changes in the city’s heart from 1996 and projected to 2031.
   Treasurer, Andrew Fraser said over 15 years, inner Brisbane had grown by more than 50 per cent to almost 100,000 people.
   “The big question is, how can we grow as an economy and as communities without destroying the very things that make us unique?” Mr Fraser asked
   The report found inner Brisbane was following the trends seen in other cities with nearly three-quarters of households made up of one or two people in 2006, compared to around 55 per cent for the broader metropolitan area.
   To cater for this growth, the number of flats, units and apartments has doubled, representing two-thirds of all dwellings in inner Brisbane.
   Mr Fraser said the report also predicted that inner Brisbane was set for considerable growth and would resemble the demographic make-up of inner Sydney and Melbourne in the future.
   He said it showed inner Brisbane’s population was becoming increasingly concentrated among people in their 20s and 30s, as well as those in their 50s.
   “Lone person and child-free households predominate, and while the concentration of the younger working age has been increasing, so too has that of older working-aged people,” Mr Fraser said.
   Inner Brisbane reinvents itself was available from the Office of Economic and Statistical Research’s website: www.oesr.qld.gov.au

1 April, 2010

Plan flushes out
water strategy

Plans to secure a long-term water strategy for far north Queensland have been announced by the Minister for Natural Resources, Stephen Robertson.
   Mr Robertson said the Far North Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy would focus on the future water needs of urban, rural and industrial water users in the wider Cairns area up to Port Douglas, out to Ravenshoe and west to Dimbulah.
   “It’s a comprehensive strategy,” Mr Robertson said.
   “It focuses on making the best use of existing water supplies through improved efficiency and demand management.
   “We’re looking at long-term solutions – sensible, workable solutions to meet the far north’s water needs for the next 50 years.”
   The Minister said the strategy backed the water demand management program and water cycling efforts of the Cairns Regional Council and the local community.
   “It identifies potential water supplies for Cairns, including the Mulgrave aquifer and the Barron River at Lake Placid,” he said.
   Mr Robertson said the strategy also identified a range of possible new supply sources.
   “Our strategy is flexible – it will be reviewed from time to time to ensure it remains relevant,” he said.
   “It’s all about planning and managing our future growth.
   “It also seeks to achieve the best environmental, social and economic outcomes for the region.”
   Mr Robertson said the plan was developed in partnership between State and Local Governments, water service providers and key stakeholders.
   “By working together, we’ve come up with a strategy that’s in everyone’s best interests, and one that meets the long term water needs of the region,” he said.

1 April, 2010

Management program
takes poke at pigs

A coordinated effort to reduce the number of feral pigs on Cape York has been announced by the Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland, Tim Mulherin.
   Under the Cape York Vertebrate Pest Control Program, Government Agencies have joined with land managers and the community in an all-out assault on the pigs to help save sea turtles and reduce the pigs’ impact on the grazing industry.
   Mr Mulherin said the offensive plan combined baiting and trapping with aerial shooting.
   “The pigs prey on marine turtle eggs and have destroyed nearly all their nests on Cape York beaches where surveys were carried out,” Mr Mulherin said.
   “This coordinated program began last year, though aerial shooting and property-based baiting occurred over several years.
   “Recently conducted aerial and ground surveys indicate the program is already paying off.”
   The minister said rangers were seeing fewer pigs on beaches and fewer nests were being destroyed.
   He said without firm action the turtles could eventually face extinction.
   “I am very pleased that so many groups are acting in partnership to give Cape York turtles a much safer future,” he said.
   “This program aimed at culling feral pigs has been carried out by committed staff across several Agencies in a coordinated fashion.”
   Senior Project Officer at Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS), Col Dollery said feral pigs had a devastating impact on the environment.
   “Local traditional owners have seen the impacts of exotic species, such as feral pigs, for many years,” Mr Dollery said.
   An officer with Biosecurity Queensland, Shane Ross said feral pigs impacted on graziers and landholders as well.
   “Pigs are competing with cattle, damaging waterholes, invading homestead gardens and pose a danger to families,” Mr Ross said.
   Stakeholders involved in the program include Biosecurity Queensland, Cape York Sustainable Futures, Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, Cape York Weeds and Feral Animals Program, Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council, the QPWS and community and traditional owners.

1 April, 2010

National parks
branch out

Four new national parks have been created and another six expanded to add more than 60,000 hectares of land for the State’s protected flora and fauna.
   Premier, Anna Bligh said the newly protected area was the equivalent of more than 100,000 football fields and took Queensland’s total national park area to 8.1 million hectares.
   The new and expanded parks are located near Townsville, Cairns, Mackay, Mission Beach, Hughenden, Woodford, St George, Kingaroy, Ingham and Proserpine.
   “National Parks are an essential part of our strategy to manage growth in Queensland,” Ms Bligh said.
   “They will help protect Queensland’s amazing biodiversity and also help insulate our State against the impacts of climate change.
   “The new protected areas serve as vital habitat corridors and ecosystems for rare, native species including frogs, rock wallabies, cassowaries and many other types of birds.”
   Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, Kate Jones said the new parks would contribute towards the Government’s 2020 target of achieving 12.9 million hectares (7.5 per cent of the State) of national park.
   “This is a good win for conservation,” Ms Jones said.
   “The new Mount Lewis National Park, about 60 kilometres north-west of Cairns, is the largest addition, covering more than 27,500 hectares.”
   She said Queensland had the largest national park area of any Australian State or Territory.
   “The area covered is a bigger area than Tasmania, and more than a third of the size of Victoria,” Ms Jones said.
   Further information on the new parks was available from www.thepremier.qld.gov.au

1 April, 2010

Groundbreaking change
to land tax payments

New arrangements have been announced for the payment of land tax.
   Treasurer, Andrew Fraser said land tax was only paid by 0.5 per cent of Queensland residents but that the old legislation could be very complicated to deal with.
   “It makes sense to make it a lot easier to understand, administer and comply with,” Mr Fraser said.
   “From the 2010-11 financial year, land taxpayers will be able to either pay their entire amount of tax 90 days after they are given their assessment or in three equal instalments at 45, 90 and then 150 days after assessment.”
   The Treasurer said the changes would result in a benefit of $8.5 million for taxpayers and implement a Government commitment to introduce an instalments system for 2010-11.
   Mr Fraser said Queensland had a competitive land tax regime with the highest threshold for individuals and the lowest top rate of land tax.
   He said the rewriting of the Land Tax Act 1915 would make a special provision in 2010-11 to extend capping arrangements.
   Mr Fraser said the value on which land tax was levied would be limited to 150 per cent of the value that applied for the previous year to lessen the impact of any significant increases in land values.
   He said that in Queensland, land tax was levied on the taxable value of an owner’s total land-holdings in the State.
   An exemption ensures most people do not pay land tax on their home which is their principal place of residence.
   The new legislation comes into force on 30 June.

1 April, 2010

Cooloola warmed up
for heritage list

Public comment has been invited on a joint Commonwealth-State plan to have Cooloola recognised as part of the Fraser Island World Heritage Area.
   Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, Kate Jones said the consultation was part of a lengthy process that would require a lot of talking and listening to the local community and stakeholders.
   “If the community do decide that Cooloola should be nominated and if the international governing body (UNESCO) do ratify that nomination and declare it a World Heritage area, then it will bring a great deal of well-earned international attention,” Ms Jones said.
   “World Heritage sites are places of such outstanding significance that their qualities make them universally unique and worthy of protection for future generations, and the Queensland Government believes Cooloola has that significance.”
   The Minister said she wanted to be sure the proposed nomination had the overall support of Cooloola and the wider region.
   “I encourage the local community to get behind the proposal and call on interested groups and individuals to have their say before submissions close on 19 May,” Ms Jones said.
   She said if the consultation results supported the nomination, the Federal Government would submit it sometime after 2011.
   Ms Jones said World Heritage listing would not affect ownership rights and there would be no impediment to existing or planned land uses, including current recreation activities unless they threatened World Heritage values.
   A map of the proposed boundary and further information on the proposed area were available at www.derm.qld.gov.au

1 April, 2010

Hunter gathers job
Great Barrier Reef

An Indigenous liaison officer is to be appointed to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority in Cairns to work with local communities to help stamp out illegal hunting and poaching on the Great Barrier Reef.
   Federal Minister for Environment Protection, Peter Garrett said the officer would work with traditional owners after they expressed concerns about the impact illegal hunting and fishing was having on their communities and ‘sea country’.
   “This position will support an existing knowledge base, and help traditional owners make a real difference for their sea country,” Mr Garrett said.
   “Education and information exchange play an important role in giving traditional owners the capacity to identify and report any illegal activities taking place.”
   He said it was about empowering communities with practical knowledge and skills.
   The Minister said the initiative would build upon work already underway such as that being undertaken through the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and would help ensure a sustainable future for Indigenous communities’ sea country and the Great Barrier Reef.
   Mr Garrett said the Indigenous Liaison Officer would become part of a team already working with traditional owners in far north Queensland on compliance and sea country management issues.
   He said traditional owners were active in caring for their sea country in a number of ways, including monitoring marine turtles and dugong, reporting sick and injured animals and maintaining cultural heritage sites.
   He said the initiative built on the Federal Government’s Reef Rescue Indigenous Land and Sea Country Partnerships Program, which supports traditional owners to conserve sea country biodiversity, protect heritage values and contribute to reducing climate change impacts and maintaining the resilience of the Great Barrier Reef.
   Mr Garrett said a new partnership between the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the North Queensland Land Council commenced recently with the first of four workshops in Gordonvale.
   He said the workshops would help canvass traditional owner interest in developing partnerships to manage sea country, including Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreements.
   Other workshops will be held in Yarrabah, Kuranda and Innisfail.

1 April, 2010

New awards sustain
sustainability

Premier, Anna Bligh has announced a new awards program to recognise people making major contributions to the State’s sustainability.
   Ms Bligh said the 2010 Premier’s ClimateSmart Sustainability Awards would showcase the achievements of Queenslanders who help reduce the State’s carbon footprint.
   “Many Queenslanders are already taking steps to use sustainable practices at work, home and at play that will help protect our way of life into the future,” Ms Bligh said.
   “These new-look awards are about rewarding strong environmental leadership across Queensland and demonstrating that everyone can help make a difference to climate change.”
   Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, Kate Jones said the awards had been expanded to recognise more than just business and industry.
   “These awards will now recognise the eco-friendly work of our schools, communities, individuals, not-for-profit groups and Local Government areas,” Ms Jones said.
   She said awards partners and sponsors included Network 10 in Brisbane, Coles, Bendigo Bank, Ecofund Queensland, Energex, Fosters, Leighton Contractors, Microsoft, SEQ Catchments and the University of Southern Queensland.
   Ms Jones said nominations were open to Queensland-based initiatives and businesses that reflected the Government’s commitment to reducing the State’s greenhouse gas emissions and inspired new benchmarks in environmental performance.
   Award categories would be ClimateSmart School, ClimateSmart Partnership, ClimateSmart Community, ClimateSmart Built Environment, Innovation in ClimateSmart Technologies, ClimateSmart Rural, Industrial Eco-efficiency ClimateSmart, Corporate ClimateSmart and Minister’s Award for ClimateSmart Leadership.
   Nominations have closed and the winners will be announced at an awards dinner at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on 4 June.

1 April, 2010
Top Queenslander sought
High achieving individuals are being sought for the 2010 Queenslanders of the Year Awards.
   Nominations for the awards, which are celebrating their 30th anniversary, are now open in the Queenslander of the Year and Young Queenslander of the Year categories.
   Previous winners include Sergeant Jim Bellos, Graeme Wood, Professor Ian Frazer (2006) and Leisel Jones.
   Nominations close on 23 April and can be submitted online at www.suncorp.com.au

SA ties renewed
Queensland’s cooperative trade and investment arrangement with the South African province of KwaZulu Natal has been renewed.
   The arrangement was formalised at a ceremony hosted at Parliament House.
   The initial Cooperation Arrangement, aimed at promoting business links between the two areas, was signed in March 2007.

Dog barrier not water-proof
The recent Queensland floods have damaged the wild dog barrier fence.
   Staff from the Department of Primary Industries commenced repairs at the most badly damaged section which runs for around 1,100 kilometres between Tambo and the New South Wales border.
   Staff have been working long hours and in difficult conditions to ensure the fence is made dog-proof as quickly as possible.

Memorial funds granted
Five Central Queensland Councils and organisations have received funding in the sixth and final round of the Queensland Government’s Community Memorials Restoration Program.
   Over $96,000 has been provided to restore 10 projects in the Central Queensland region, bringing the total value of grants made in the 2009-10 financial year to more than $598,000 and 53 restoration projects.
   The program grants Councils and local organisations one dollar for every dollar they spend to the value of $25,000. Further information on projects was available from www.publicworks.qld.gov.au

ABC back in Brisbane
A sod-turning ceremony has marked the beginning of construction on the ABC’s new Brisbane headquarters in South Bank.
   The 15,500 square metre building will hold 450 ABC staff and members of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and is expected to be complete in early 2012.
   The purpose-built facility, located in the arts and cultural centre of Brisbane, will be a state-of-the-art broadcast centre.

Agencies point to digital strategy

Trade representation could be big deal

Transport training keeps on truckin’

Gambling strategy hits the jackpot

Bidders in market for a good port

Cabinet goes to town on regionalisation

Health in bed with Defence Force

Rail access to steam ahead

WorkSafe awards in safe hands

Car washers in lather over green program

Gabba kicks goal for development

Ministers put bite on fire ants

Colourful ideas for Greenspace Strategy

Call to silence bike noise laws

Dredging call doesn’t scratch the surface

Wellbeing Centres feeling better

Collections fine-tuned at Penalties Registry

AG lays down law in legal overhaul

Jury out on reforms to jury system

Drug management is bad medicine

Councils sweep up extra funding

Fair Trading trades places

Researchers researched in textbook references

New code to cover accommodation

Ambulance Service getting better

Irrigators splash out on water program

Forums feature in new bullying push

Innovators shine with bright ideas

Forums on hit list for violence review

Daylight saving lights up again

Campaign sidelines sports violence

Health injects drug warning

Leadership up front in schools institute

New penalties in oil-spill mop-up

WHS report finds unhealthy mixture

Young PS tunes in to breakfast program

Police review of powers hits the streets

Electricity consumers wired for refunds

Department develops photography contest

Doors opened for tourism passport

Spurt of growth for agriculture college

Cleaner seas flow in northern water scheme

Pool safety plan is still afloat

Gas guidelines to clear the air

Design Triennial on the drawing boards

Dinosaur display brought to life

Councils rate funds for municipal jobs

Tourism campaigns showing the way

QPS report in a state of its own

Suspended staff held in suspense

Grounded coal ship left high and dry

Minister pays out on payroll troubles

Plan takes planning body’s plan award

Great workers thanked by grateful Minister

Watchdog slings off at baby slings

Mining safety report worth weight in gold

Survey rates Councils on communication

All fun and games in schools’ games guide

Gladstone bags 30-year plan

Summit goes to town on regionalisation

Partnership plumps for plum deal

Design Council has designs on designs

Grants program puts art in the picture

Vaccination clinics a shot in the arm

Bundaberg Rangers outfox foxes

Auditor revved up over ‘09 Grand Prix

Brisbane buses stop rest in their tracks

Fair result for Fair Trading

Green space plan gets green light

MIAC pops cork on Third Party review

New coast laws beachy keen

Building energy code reaches for 6 stars

New drive to protect cassowaries from cars

City Centre is child-free zone

Plan flushes out water strategy

Management program takes poke at pigs

National parks branch out

Groundbreaking change to land tax payments

Cooloola warmed up for heritage list

Hunter gathers job Great Barrier Reef