3 November, 2011

Records on the record
in new Archives brief

Queensland State Archives has issued a Public Records Brief on identifying and managing vital records.
   The four-page Brief explains what vital records are, how to identify and manage them and provides a checklist of important points to remember when dealing with them.
   The Brief says vital records were those without which a public authority could not continue to operate, were irreplaceable, or would require significant resources to recreate.
   According to the Brief, vital records contained information essential to effectively restore the public authority’s business operations in, or following, an exceptional event (e.g. network failure, a disaster).
   “Vital records protect the assets and interests of a public authority, its clients and stakeholders,” the Brief says, “and are usually associated with the organisation’s infrastructure, legal and financial matters.
   “Generally these records require significant resources (e.g. time, money) to reconstruct if lost or damaged, or may be impossible to recreate altogether.”
   The Brief says that only a small percentage of a public authority’s total record holdings were likely to be considered vital – approximately 5-10 per cent.
   “A vital records plan should be developed to identify and protect vital records,” the Brief says.
   “The vital records plan should be included with the public authority’s disaster management or business continuity plan.”
   The checklist of important points included with the Brief advises Agencies to develop a plan that was viable, effective and applicable to all types and formats of vital records; consider duplicating vital records in a variety of formats and storing them in separate locations; ensure storage is suitable for the record format; install high shelving to avoid potential flood damage; and consider the location of off-site storage a sufficient distance from the business to be unaffected by the same disaster, but still within reasonable distance for accessibility.
   Other tips include checking that vital electronic records were backed up regularly; undertaking regular audits of vital records to ensure their currency and validity; arrange disposal in line with an approved Retention and Disposal Schedules; and that the plan is reviewed and tested to ensure it is effective.
   The Public Records Brief Identifying and managing vital records can be accessed at this PS News link.


3 November, 2011

Campaign to flow
for flood season

A new public education campaign has been announced to ensure the State was prepared for this year’s wet season.
   Minister for Emergency Services, Neil Roberts said the $3.8 million Get Ready Queensland campaign had been developed to help Queenslanders better understand potential weather-related hazards in their communities and provide advice on how to prepare, and where to find more information and assistance.
   Mr Roberts said the campaign included a State-wide mail-out of the Get Ready Queensland Guide to more than 1.9 million letterboxes; an advertising campaign encouraging people to be prepared to cope at home if essential services and transport routes were cut; and an education campaign focusing on the dangers of driving over flooded roadways or playing in floodwaters.
   “Less than 10 months ago Queensland was devastated by one of the worst series of natural disasters to impact our State, which included widespread flooding and the most severe Tropical Cyclone to make landfall in 100 years,” Mr Roberts said.
   He said more than 30 people had lost their lives and three remained unaccounted for as a result of the disasters, with many Queenslanders still working to rebuild their lives and homes.
   He said the Get Ready Queensland campaign had been developed in response to the interim recommendations of the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry and with the Bureau of Meteorology’s prediction of another busy storm and cyclone season in mind.
   “The key message is that everyone needs to be prepared to sit it out at home for a minimum of three days,” Mr Roberts said.
   “This means having an emergency kit with a battery powered radio and torch, enough water and non-perishable food in the cupboard for a few days, as well as other essential items like medicine, sanitary products and pet food.”
   He said a television commercial would be launched aimed at discouraging people from driving through flood waters.
   “The message is simple. If it’s flooded, forget it.
   “Flood waters are deadly.
   “Just a small amount of fast flowing flood water can wash any vehicle off a road, including four-wheel drives, and can also hide deep holes and washouts that can be lethal.”
   He said more information on how to ‘Get Ready’ for the wet season was available from this PS News link.


3 November, 2011

Police cuts called
an unfair cop

A decision to cut police staff numbers by 250 to pay for an 11 per cent payrise has been described as “simply appalling” by the Public Service union Together.
   The union said the $27 million in annual savings the Queensland Police Service (QPS) had been ordered to find equated to roughly 250 staff member jobs, which would come from across the Service but would be mostly concentrated in corporate service areas.
   The union said 80 planned new positions would be withdrawn and all temporary positions put under the microscope.
   “There is no capacity for the Police Service to take this level of job cuts without dramatically impacting on policing services across Queensland and having serious workload impacts on staff members and police officers alike,” the union said.
   “We’ve been told that there will be no forced redundancies, but that the job cuts will be achieved through an extension of the Voluntary Separation Program.”
   It said any staff member interested in receiving a separation package would be able to enter an expression of interest.
   The union said the decision to cull staff would put more pressure on sworn officers, reduce the resources available for frontline police, and hurt the safety of the community.
   It announced a campaign to pressure the Government to reverse the decision.
   Minister for Police, Neil Roberts said officers were to receive an 11.1 per cent wage increase over three years – 3.8 per cent, 3.8 per cent and 3.5 per cent.
   “The ongoing recurrent cost of the increase is around $139 million per year,” Mr Roberts said.
   He confirmed the QPS’ share of the ongoing recurrent cost would be around $27 million per year.
   “The vast majority of the QPS share of the wage increase will be derived from the voluntary separation program with a view to achieving a reduction of approximately 250 positions,” Mr Roberts said.
   He said this number represented around 1.5 per cent of the total Queensland Police Service workforce.
   “All agencies across government are contributing to the voluntary separation program – the police department is no different.
   “Even with up to 250 civilians requesting voluntary separations through the VSP process, there will still be in excess of 4,000 civilian staff supporting frontline officers in their duties.”


3 November, 2011

Public comment gets
sporting chance

Public input has been invited on the future of the State’s sport and recreation activities over the next 10 years.
   Minister for Sport, Phil Reeves tabled a consultation paper – Ahead of the Game – a sport and recreation vision for Queensland saying he wanted to work on a vision or a road map that would keep sport and recreation on the right course for future generations.
   “Ahead of the Game backgrounds what we’ve achieved and how our initiatives have taken us to where we are now,” Mr Reeves said.
   “More importantly, it asks key questions on where we should be heading.”
   He said Sport and Recreation Services wanted to work in partnership with everyone – from clubs and associations to Local Government and the broader community to focus efforts on getting even more Queenslanders to participate in sport and recreation.
   Mr Reeves said Ahead of the Game could be viewed online.
   “We’re also holding forums across the State so Queenslanders can share first hand their views and have their say.”
   He said challenges such as an expanding population, increasing levels of obesity, uncertain economic times and time-poor families could threaten people’s participation.
   “I encourage people to attend the forums and help contribute to shaping our vision for sport and recreation in the next decade and maintain our status as the Champions State, and the Events State,” Mr Reeves said.
   “At the state level, the vision will align with our Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland initiative and contribute directly to green, healthy and fair ambitions for Queensland communities.”
   The consultation paper Ahead of the Game can be accessed at this PS News link.


3 November, 2011

Corrective Services
puts GPS on the map

Queensland Corrective Services has started using GPS technology to monitor the movements of offenders serving time but released into the community.
   Minister for Corrective Services, Neil Roberts said QCS had completed the configuration and installation of the equipment required for the new system which would initially monitor five offenders.
   “QCS is aiming to fit one additional offender with the GPS device per day until all of the offenders housed at the Wacol transitional housing are fitted,” Mr Roberts said.
   “Offenders at the Townsville transitional housing will then be fitted followed by a progressive roll-out to other offenders.”
   “I expect that all offenders currently subject to electronic monitoring as a condition of their supervision order will be fitted with a GPS device by early next year.”
   Mr Roberts said GPS technology was an enhancement on the existing radio-based monitoring system, but would not replace the vigilance of staff in the field who monitor the whereabouts of offenders and their movements.
   “I am advised that the technology that has been selected is the most advanced GPS offender monitoring system in use in Australia or New Zealand,” Mr Roberts said.
   “However, GPS monitoring technology is an additional monitoring tool that corrective services personnel can use to monitor dangerous sex offenders released into the community on a supervision order – it is not a panacea.”
   Mr Roberts said like all forms of technology, GPS had its limitations however the technology continued to improve.
   “All sex offenders fitted with GPS will be tracked on a 24/7 basis, with a specialist surveillance team working around the clock to monitor their movements,” Mr Roberts said.
   He said the total cost to implement the system, and the additional surveillance staff, would be $13.7 million over four years.


3 November, 2011

Premier all fired up
over power stations

Two new gas fired power stations have been announced by the Premier, Anna Bligh and local energy company TRUenergy.
   Ms Bligh said the stations would be built in Ipswich and Gladstone and powered by gas from the State’s south west gas fields.
   She said they would emit up to 50 per cent less CO2 than a coal-fired station.
   “This investment, worth up to $3.6 billion, will mean around 1,000 jobs in construction from early 2013 for each project and will increase the State’s overall electricity generation capacity by 20 per cent,” Ms Bligh said.
   “It is also the first major investment in energy since the carbon price was passed and that shows that gas can compete in a carbon-priced economy.”
   She said the stations were being located near the areas of highest forecast population growth in the Western Corridor and greatest industrial growth in Gladstone, the centre of the new LNG export industry.
   Ms Bligh said TRUenergy had commenced the development application process for the two stations.
   She said the high-efficiency gas-fired power stations would be developed in stages with the initial units producing around 500MW with total capacity of up to 1500MW each, depending on energy demands.
   She said the Ipswich Power Station would be within a 500ha industrial park, on land already zoned for heavy industrial use, near the existing Swanbank B coal fired power station which would close in April 2012.
   She said the Aldoga Power Station would be located in the 26,000ha Gladstone State Development Area on land already zoned for heavy industrial use.
   Managing Director of TRUenergy, Richard McIndoe, said Queensland was the right State for the developments.
   “We are proposing to develop the power stations using the newest natural gas-fired turbines, which will emit less carbon than existing coal-fired power plants,” Mr McIndoe said.
   He said TRUenergy would seek to have the sites permitted for both open cycle and combined cycle gas turbine technology.
   He said TRUenergy had already developed and now operated one of Australia’s most efficient thermal power stations, the combined cycle Tallawarra Power Station near Wollongong in New South Wales.


3 November, 2011

Green street lighting
gets green light

A trial of ‘green’ street lighting has been announced for South East Queensland in a move that could lead to new national lighting standards.
   Minister for Energy, Stephen Robertson said the South East Queensland Energy Efficient Street Lighting Trial was a $1 million-plus collaboration between the Queensland Government, Energex, five local Councils and the Australian Government.
   “Some of the globes trialled had 40 to 50 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions,” Mr Robertson said.
   “They also used 40 to 50 per cent less power than existing lighting lamps yet delivered similar or better lighting outcomes.”
   He said there were around 330,000 streetlights across South East Queensland operated by either Councils or Main Roads using 142 gigawatt hours of energy per year and responsible for around 100,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.
   “Collectively these globes cost SEQ councils or the Department of Transport and Main Roads around $40 million in maintenance, operation and energy use each year,” Mr Roberston said.
   He said that primarily, the focus of the trial had been on streetlights operated by Councils in smaller suburbs or industrial areas with traditional 50-watt mercury vapour lights.
   “These were tested alongside 11 other models of energy efficient lamps in 13 separate locations,” Mr Robertson said.
   He said findings from the trial would be considered in the creation of a National Street Lighting Strategy being developed by the Australian Government’s Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency.
   He said Energex would now work with the participating South East Queensland Councils – Moreton Bay, Brisbane, Ipswich, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast – to select the technologies that would best reduce the financial and environmental costs of delivering street lighting to their local suburbs.
   Mr Roberston said the technology would then be made available to all Councils in South East Queensland.
   He said the South East Queensland Energy Efficient Street Lighting Trial report would be made publicly available via the Energex website.


3 November, 2011

Campaign jacked up
to warn on jacks

A nationwide, do-it-yourself safety campaign has been launched focussing on the danger of car jacks in backyard garages.
   Product safety expert with the Office of Fair Trading, Dave Strachan, urged home mechanics not to be ‘jackasses’ ahead of the campaign.
   Mr Strachan said car jacks and trolleys were emerging as a deadly danger to home mechanics with more than 160 people injured each year in Australia and at least 46 people killed in the last decade.
   “DIY is back in vogue and with the increase in people doing their own home and car repairs comes an increase in injuries,” Mr Strachan said.
   “Research shows around 160 Australians suffer jack related injuries each year ranging from crush injuries and fractures to amputation or death.”
   He said the Office of Fair Trading had produced a free safety video for home mechanics.
   “Don’t be a jackass – an anti-manual for using a car jack covers the basic do’s and don’ts of lifting cars,” Mr Strachan said.
   He said according to the Queensland Injury Surveillance Unit, between 2001 and 2010 more than 258 people attended Queensland hospital emergency departments with jack related injuries.
   He said some of them were as young as nine years old but more than half the injuries occurred to males between 20 and 39 years of age with contact with moving objects and crush injuries topping the list.
   “When lifting a car, it’s not as simple as grabbing a jack or backing the car onto a ramp,” Mr Strachan said.
   “There is a multitude of jacks and other lifting equipment specifically designed for different purposes.”
   “It is vitally important people use the right lifting equipment for the job, and use it properly.”
   Mr Strachan warned it was also important that people check that the equipment they used met Australian Standards.
   “The ACCC recently released results of a joint nationwide product safety surveillance operation that included a focus on car jacks,” he said.
   “During the operation the ACCC and its State and Territory counterparts removed more than 70 000 jacks that failed to meet Australian Standards.”
   He said the video formed part of a joint 12-month campaign with the ACCC and other States and Territories to reduce preventable injuries to Australian DIY-ers.
   More information on the campaign and to see the video visit this PS News link.


3 November, 2011

Resource approvals
to be fast-tracked

The approval process for resource development applications is to be streamlined to cut red tape and ensure the local resource industry remained competitive in the global market.
   Minister for Employment, Skills and Mining, Stirling Hinchliffe said a new, streamlined approach to processing tenure applications could only assist the Queensland resources industry.
   Mr Hinchliffe said the Government–Industry Implementation Group (GIIG) report On the right track — Progress on the Streamlining Mining and Petroleum Approvals Project focused on five key areas including environment, legislation, native title, small-scale mining and tenures.
   He said the working groups took a good hard look at a complex system and came up with solutions to streamline those processes.
   “As a result, we’re going to bring on more sophisticated business technology so that we can continue to cut through unnecessary red tape,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
   He said the ultimate goal was online lodgement for industry and a fully integrated electronic work flow within government.
   “We will release a client portal access for companies to have a consolidated view of all their resource permits in Queensland,” he said.
   “It will deliver the transparency industry is seeking.”
   He said over time, Queensland’s online services would broaden with a range of integrated services, including the ability for resource companies to make applications online and view the status of the assessment.
   The GIIG report can be accessed at this PS News link.


3 November, 2011

Cash incentive
goes to waste

The Department of Environment and Resource Management is to offer Queensland businesses cash incentives to rethink their waste management processes.
   Minister for the Environment, Vicky Darling said one-off payments of $750 would be made available to businesses that made improvements and reduced their amount of waste to landfill.
   Ms Darling said the cash subsidies would allow businesses to spend the time analysing how their waste was managed and identifying how their waste costs could be reduced.
   “Businesses currently pay for their waste three times – when materials are brought on site, when waste materials are moved around the site and when waste is disposed of,” Ms Darling said.
   “By accessing the cash subsidy, companies can find the best solution to cut costs, keep valuable materials out of landfill and avoid paying the Industry Waste Levy.”
   Ms Darling said half the business subsidies would be assigned to small to medium-sized enterprises in regional Queensland, so the benefits of the levy would be shared across the State.
   “This will increase demand for resource recovery services outside of the south-east corner, an important step towards building a strong regional service-provider network,” Ms Darling said.
   MP for Capalaba Michael Choi said the Good Guys appliance store had demonstrated leadership in the area of waste management by reducing the amount of waste the business sent to landfill by more than 90 per cent.
   “The Good Guys are aiming to be Australia’s first zero waste business – they have a strong focus on sustainable business practices and this is the type of leadership that we are looking for from businesses Queensland wide,” Mr Choi said.
   “In-store initiatives include polystyrene recycling to make coat hangers and picture frames, partnering with local recyclers for plastics, plastic strapping, printer cartridges and wooden pallets, and shredding paper for use at the local pet store.”
   He said the store’s industrial waste bin used to be emptied four times a week, but thanks to waste reduction initiatives, the bin was now emptied once a fortnight.
   Mds darling said more information on the waste reform package was available from this PS News link.


3 November, 2011

Women in style at
State Library

An exhibition at the State Library of Queensland is showcasing the style and culture of Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
   Minister for the Arts, Rachel Nolan is encouraging visitors to get along to the exhibition Flash Women which opened on 1 November.
   Ms Nolan said the State Library held an open-air artists’ studio encouraging school children to experiment with Indigenous art.
   “This latest showcase provides an opportunity for Queenslanders of all ages to immerse themselves in the beauty and culture of Indigenous women,” Ms Nolan said.
   She said the free exhibition would feature the eclectic, vibrant and stylish collection of favourite fashions worn by Indigenous women during the past 80 years.
   She said the exhibition profiled a range of women, from respected community elders such as author, activist and educator Aunty Ruth Hegarty, to talented young Torres Strait Islander fashion designer Grace Lee, and founder of the Little Black Dress Empire, entrepreneur Juliette Knox.
   “Flash Women includes examples of favourite fashion and jewellery pieces, along with photographs and moving stories told by inspiring women, many of whom have risen above hardships and exude confidence,” Ms Nolan said.
   “These women are positive role models, not only for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, but women everywhere.”
   Flash Women is open daily at the kuril dhagun Indigenous Knowledge Centre until 24 February 2012.
   More information is available from this PS News link.


3 November, 2011

Joint program to
beat drug abuse

A joint program between Queensland Police and James Cook University aimed at minimising the effects of drug misuse in Indigenous communities has been honoured at the 2011 Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards (ACVPA) presented at Parliament House, Canberra.
   Senator Kate Lundy, representing the Federal Minister for Home Affairs and Justice, Brendan O’Connor, presented five awards totalling $90,000 to outstanding community-based projects that prevent or reduce crime, and two non-cash awards to police crime prevention programs.
   Senator Lundy said the seven projects had substantially reduced local crime rates.
   “There was tough competition from a field of 52 contenders, but the winning projects stood out for their outstanding results in reducing local crime and offending,” Senator Lundy said.
   She said the projects involved Indigenous and rural communities, drug and alcohol-related crime prevention, offenders and victims of domestic and family violence, vulnerable youth and the prevention of ATM robberies.
   “This year’s winning projects particularly highlight the importance of breaking the cycle of domestic and family violence, the effectiveness of working with vulnerable young people and early intervention,” Senator Lundy said.
   “The awards showcase the importance of partnerships and practical solutions to prevent crime and make our communities safer.”
   She said the two National Police winning projects came from Queensland and New South Wales.
   She said the Queensland Police Service Weed It Out and James Cook University Cape York Cannabis Project was based on providing evidence-based interventions focused on reducing harms associated with cannabis use and the associated problems relating to drug misuse in Indigenous communities across Cape York and the Torres Strait regions.
   The ACVPA Awards are managed by the Australian Institute of Criminology and full details of all the winners can be accessed at this PS News link.


3 November, 2011

New laws to promote
good neighbours

New legislation to help resolve disputes about overhanging trees and dividing fences has come into effect.
   Attorney General, Paul Lucas said the new Neighbourhood Disputes Resolution Act replaced the Dividing Fences Act which had been in effect since 1953.
   Mr Lucas said the new Act clarified who was responsible for building and maintaining dividing fences and who was responsible for ensuring trees and branches did not impose on someone else’s property.
   “Prior to these changes there was no legislation covering backyard trees,” Mr Lucas said.
   “These modern laws clearly spell out neighbours’ obligations in relation to fences and trees to better reflect a ‘fair go’ all round.”
   He said while most people might find it easy to trim an overhanging branch, many people including the elderly or people with disabilities, would find it impossible.
   He said if someone believed a tree posed a danger or it was adversely affecting their land, they could write to the owner, requesting for it to be trimmed or removed.
   “They can also recover up to $300 for professional services to trim a tree under 2.5 metres if parties can’t agree on a resolution,” Mr Lucas said.
   “First and foremost, we want to see neighbours communicating with each other about these matters and trying to reach a resolution.”
   He said the new legislation also included a clear definition of a dividing fence and how cost should be apportioned.
   “The legislation provides a clear picture of when a fence needs to be replaced and what is a reasonable contribution to its installation and maintenance,” Mr Lucas said.
   He said it was important the legislation was in place before summer.
   “We’ve already seen the storm season kick off in Queensland this year and we’re expecting more to come.
   “People should be taking steps now to prepare.”
   He said that was why it was important that gardens and fences were in good order to ensure dangerous objects weren’t flying around in the middle of a storm.
   “That’s where this legislation can help,” Mr Lucas said.


3 November, 2011

Wake-up call
on bunk-beds

Parents and homeowners have been warned of the dangers of bunk beds.
   Executive Director of Fair Trading, Brian Bauer said while there were current safety standards in place for bunk beds, old bunk beds that were still in use could put children at risk.
   Mr Bauer said according to figures from the Queensland Injury Surveillance Unit, around 450 people visited Queensland hospital emergency departments each year due to bunk bed injuries.
   “Eighty-five per cent of these injuries were the result of a fall from a bunk bed, with most injuries suffered by children aged five to nine years old,” Mr Bauer said.
   He said there were a number of steps parents could take to help prevent bunk bed related injuries to their children.
   “Whether your children use bunk beds everyday or just on holidays, there are some simple rules you can follow to help protect them,” Mr Bauer said.
   He said the Office of Fair Trading’s 7 easy steps to bunk bed safety were:
  • Only children over nine years of age should use bunk beds (but preferably older than 12);
  • Consider using single beds as a safer alternative to bunk beds;
  • Don’t allow children to play on bunk beds;
  • Allow at least two metres of clearance between ceiling fans and bunk beds;
  • Ensure the ladder is firmly fixed to the bunk bed;
  • Ensure there are no gaps of between 95mm and 230mm that could trap your child’s head; and
  • On the top bunk, make sure that the top of the guardrail is at least 160mm above the top of the mattress to prevent children rolling out.
   Mr Bauer said while parents could control the quality of bunk beds in their homes, they had less influence over beds used in holiday accommodation.
   “In conjunction with Standards Australia and other stakeholders the Office of Fair Trading has produced an industry handbook for the accommodation providers to help bring them into line with Australian Standards,” Mr Bauer said.
   He said parents had a big role to play when it comes to protecting their children.
   “In the lead up to the busy summer holiday period parents should check with accommodation providers before making a booking if the room they are renting has bunk beds and if they meet safety standards,” Mr Bauer said.
   “If not, they should consider a room without bunk beds or moving bedding to the floor.”


3 November, 2011

SkillsTech plugs
into electro-hub

SkillsTech Australia has opened a new Electrotechnolgy Hub at its Eagle Farm Training Centre.
   The institute’s Business Manager, Mal Garrick said the new $600,000 Electrotechnology Hub would deliver industry-ready graduates as tradespeople with dual-qualifications in electrical and instrumentation.
   “This new Electrotechnology Hub will be delivering job-ready graduates who have been trained on industry-relevant equipment and resources with the most up-to-date technologies available,” Mr Garrick said.
   “The new hub, consisting of two 180 square metre centres, features a fully functional process instrumentation, data, telecommunication and renewable energy centre.”
   He said each centre utilised industrial equipment found in numerous workplaces throughout Queensland, Australia and overseas.
   “This entire facility will be delivering Certificate II, III, IV and Diplomas in Instrumentation and Control; Data and Telecommunications; plus Renewable and Sustainable Energy, with the potential of extending to Automation in the near future.”
   He said the Renewable Energy Centre was close to being energy neutral, including its air conditioners which were powered from solar panels.
   “Solar electricity is one of the answers for our future energy challenges and SkillsTech Australia is leading the way in best practice training of designers and installers,” Mr Garrick said.
   “Wind equipment and Micro Hydro are also available for future training and expansion in the sustainability industries.”
   He said the facility was state-of-the-art and set up SkillsTech Australia to meet the future training needs of Queensland’s electrotechnology, sustainability and renewable industries.


3 November, 2011

Tourism shells out
for turtle season

A $200,000 marketing campaign has been launched to coincide with Bundaberg’s annual turtle nesting season.
   Minister for the Environment, Vicky Darling said the mini campaign coordinated by Tourism Queensland and Bundaberg North Burnett Tourism would encourage more people to visit the Southern Great Barrier Reef region.
   “The Bundaberg region supports the largest concentration of nesting sea turtles on Australia’s east coast,” Ms Darling said.
   “In particular Mon Repos - just 15 minutes from Bundaberg - is the largest loggerhead turtle rookery in the South Pacific attracting almost 500 loggerhead, flatback and green turtles to the beach last season.”
   She said that between November and January visitors could see the turtles nesting and from January to March the hatchlings began their furious journey to the water.
   “As the turtles make their annual pilgrimage onto Bundaberg’s beaches we want Queenslanders and our visitors from interstate and overseas to share in this amazing eco-tourism experience,” Ms Darling said.
   She said as part of the campaign the turtle season would feature on billboards in Brisbane, in popular metro newspapers, magazines and online.
   She said Tourism Queensland began profiling the turtle season as a standalone campaign last year, increasing efforts in 2011, including at an international adventure expo in Sydney.
   “The turtle season is an important tourism drawcard for the Bundaberg North Burnett region, benefitting not only local tourism operators but also a variety of other businesses in and around the region,” the Minister said.
   “Tourism is an important industry for Bundaberg with more than 541,000 domestic and international visitors travelling to the region in the year ending June 2011.”
   She said more information was available from this PS News link.


3 November, 2011

And in Other News...

Pay talks fail
Pay talks at Queensland Health have broken down with the Industrial Relations Commission ruling there was no likelihood of a negotiated settlement.
   The Commission will now decide on an agreement which will determine wages and conditions for Health EB8 workers for the next three years.
   A timetable has yet to be settled but the union Together said it could be a long process.

Apprentices wanted
QBuild is advertising 100 new positions as part of its 2012 intake of apprentices and trainees.
   The new positions are in trades ranging from carpentry and plumbing to horticulture and stonemasonry and 18 roles are offered for Indigenous apprentices as well as eight school-based apprenticeships.
   Seventy-four apprenticeships or traineeships are in regional areas.
   Applications close on 14 November 2011 and more information is available from this PS News link.

Electric cars arrive
Townsville families are to be among the first Australians to drive electric vehicles (EVs) in a one-of-a-kind trial for the city.
   The EVs will be loaned to the families over eight months.
   Public charging stations are expected to be installed at several locations throughout the city including shopping centres and private charge stations installed in the trial participants’ houses.

Rain bank opened
Rain Bank, Brisbane’s new stormwater harvesting and reuse centre has been officially opened by Her Majesty the Queen.
   The award-winning $8.58 million project will harvest stormwater from 30 hectares in the West End and South Brisbane catchments to irrigate gardens and other areas of South Bank and save more than 77 million litres of drinking water per year.
   The stormwater is usually unused and flows directly into the Brisbane River.
   By reducing stormwater discharge, the project will also improve the health of the river.

Giant projects declared significant
The Coordinator-General has declared the proposed Goonyella rail project and the Dudgeon Point Coal Terminal (DPCT) significant projects.
   The declarations were not approvals, but rather recognition of the size, scale and economic impact the projects could potentially have.
   The proposed DPCT is potentially worth $10 - $12 billion and will deliver 5000 construction jobs.
   The Coordinator-General will now begin the Environmental Impact Statement process with both proponents.
   A draft terms of reference for the EIS will be issued for public comment in the coming months.

Gas market to open
The Brisbane gas Short Term Trading Market (STTM) is to start on 1 December 2011.
   The STTM will encourage competition, improve the flexibility and transparency of the Queensland gas market.
   Trading will cover the Brisbane metropolitan market with participants including energy retailers, power generators and other large scale gas users.
   The Brisbane STTM will give participants more choice in purchasing gas supplies and improve price transparency.

Partnerships Bill supported
Premier Anna Bligh has supported the introduction of a Private Member’s Bill to formally recognise civil partnerships in Queensland.
   Ms Bligh told Parliament the Bill highlighted the Australian ethos of a fair go.
   She said she was committed to equal rights and to human rights.
   “The ‘fair go’ embraces dignity, recognition and acceptance for all,” Ms Bligh said.
   She said if the Bill is successful, same sex and opposite-sex couples will be able to enter into a civil partnership, hold an authorised ceremony to celebrate their relationship and register their relationship with the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.