High Country Herald - July 4, 2017

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TOOWOOMBA WEDDING EXPO Sonny and Kat Lynn, Highfields. Mary Reid, Merivale Cakes Highfields. Karissa Lindemann and Steve Fraser, Roving Studios. Lenore and Thuy Ferris, Tweeters Country Getaway, North of Crows Nest. Nash and Matt, Strett Bradley Duo, Toowoomba. Sharilyn Puig, Robin Middleton, Liz Collete and Eloise Richardson, Event Illusions. ADVERTISEMENT TOOWOOMBA REGIONAL COUNCIL BUDGET ANNOUNCEMENT www.tr.qld.gov.au/budget Delivering lifestyle - driving opportunity. It gives me great pleasure to hand down the 2017 – 2018 financial year budget. The Toowoomba Region is in the midst of a new chapter, we are maturing as a community and Council has a responsibility to our residents, now and well into the future. Our task, as a local government, is to provide the community’s essential services in an economically responsible manner. Reflecting the size and robust nature of our organisation and indeed our region, this year’s budget totals $475 million dollars. This budget is a culmination of almost 12 months of carefullyconsidered decision making and I thank my fellow Councillors and our staff for their attention and courage in making decisions that are for the good of our region. The liveability of our city and regional communities is our richest tradition and will always be our key priority. Council is focused on delivering on the lifestyle we know and love here in our region. To read more about the budget, visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/budget Maintenance of the region’s paths, tracks & footpaths $2.9 million for construction of new sewerage infrastructure to the north of Highfields Continued maintenance of our 561 parks Councillor Paul Antonio, Mayor – Toowoomba Regional Council Ongoing maintenance of over 7,700 hectares of open space across the region Where the money comes from Where the money goes $3.9 million for the Second Stage of the Highfields Sport and Recreation Park Fees & Charges $43.45M Interest Received $4.91M Rates & Charges $240.03M Operating Grants & Contributions $16.45M Capital Income including Grants $27.65M Loans $25.0M Reserves $25.01M Sale of Assets $2.99M Depreciation $89.33M Community Services & Facilities $55.25M Library & Cultural $13.41M Parks & Recreation $44.36M Planning & Development $13.74M Business Strategy & Operations $63.02M Roads, Footpaths & Bikeways $125.02M Stormwater $7.29M Waste Management $39.65M Wastewater $39.85M Water $73.12M $600,000 Initial planning for the new Highfields Library TRC/SEC_040717_HCH 8 - HIGH COUNTRY HERALD JULY 4, 2017 To advertise phone 4615 4416
TOOWOOMBA WEDDING EXPO Maggie Ihaka, Emma Vahua Long, Renee Blackburn, Highfields Cultural Centre. Fran Edney and Eileen Scott, Jondaryn Woolshed. Liz Hamilton and Veronica McKeon, Reflections, Lake Cooby. Lea Meintjes, Dalby, Kylie Sweetman of italktravel Highfields, and Michelle Jonk, Dalby. Council budget increases rates and charges 3.41 per cent Rates for Toowoomba urban residents will increase by 3 per cent in the coming financial year, following Toowoomba Regional Council’s Budget meeting last week. The net overall increase in rates and charges will be 3.41 per cent, which Mayor Paul Antonio said equated to just under $2 a week, again for the average urban property. Cr Antonio announced a budget of $475 million which he described as a vote of confidence in the region and in the financial integrity of Toowoomba Regional Council. “Our region is booming, thanks to significant external investment, and while this new regional infrastructure means more maintenance and related redevelopment work for Council, I am proud of what we have delivered in this budget, with a considered increase in rates,” he said. Cr Antonio was also proud of the enviable position the council is in. “The State Government’s independent banker, the Queensland Treasury Corporation, continues to rate Toowoomba Council as being in a sound financial position with a neutral outlook.” However, Cr Antonio was concerned that Federal funding for local government was not increasing. Indeed it was only 3 per cent of the tax take of which the Federal Government got 83 per cent, and Cr Antonio said local government was struggling to provide necessary infrastructure and services. Finance portfolio leader Cr Mike Williams said the Federal funding was reducing and this was a challenge. He said there was a freeze on federal grants, and reducing in real terms, which could eventually result in significant shortfalls and under spending. Cr Williams said a continuing challenge for Toowoomba was its 6500km of roads, the second longest local roads system in Queensland. The Budget allocates $305 million for service delivery or operational expenditure (including the maintenance of existing infrastructure), with this year’s Infrastructure or capital investment totalling $170 million. “We are ensuring we continue to upgrade our assets and build our capacity to deliver services of the highest possible standard,” Cr Antonio said. • $96m - Water and waste - page 13. More council budget next week. Around Groom with McVeigh Over the last few months one of the recurring issues in the Highfields area has been the proposed town plan for the commercial area and how it might affect the local community. Whilst this is not a federal government issue, as planning falls under the Local Council with oversight from the State Government, there have been many approaches from local residents to myself and the State Member for Toowoomba North Trevor Watts MP. I have met with residents in my office, been to a number of meetings also attended by Trevor and Councillors at the Highfields Secondary College, and have had discussions with a number of Councillors including the Mayor Paul Antonio. Business Networking In Highfields – All Welcome – The Highfields & District Business Connections supports local businesses. Members meet for breakfast at Highfields Cultural Centre on the first Tuesday of the month at 6.30am. JOIN TODAY Contact: secretary@hdbc.org.au – Visit: www.hdbc.org.au Doug Leicht Together with Trevor Watts, who I know is very keen to ensure that Highfields has the best possible results from any planning regimes put in place by Toowoomba Regional Council, I have also met with various community representative groups from across the Highfields region. At all opportunities I have encouraged local groups to participate fully in Council community consultation processes, and shared the view with Councillors that such process must remain in place to ensure proper input. I am quite hopeful of sensible outcomes to these processes. I can certainly understand why Highfields residents are passionate about getting the next stage of their growth right - I spent a good part of my life growing up in Highfields, my wife and I raised our family in Highfields when they were younger and she has also taught at a local school. Highfields is an amazing place. It is truly unique, but it is growing. In national media this week demographer Bernard Salt stated Highfields had grown 41% over the last decade – making it one of the fastest growing areas in the nation. I sometimes think we take our great Darling Downs lifestyle for granted, but then you see the passion that residents have right across our region it becomes evident that Darling Downs locals will always step up to ensure our “piece of paradise”. Until next month regards, John A proud member of Highfields & District Business Connections To advertise phone 4615 4416 HIGH COUNTRY HERALD JULY 4, 2017- 9 Andrew Bait and Tackle McLintock P: 4615 4335 W: www.highfieldsbaitandtackle.com.au
Page 1 and 2: Keeping communities connected Heral
Page 3 and 4: All aspects of landscaping availabl
Page 5 and 6: Mayors support Antonio on Acland Da
Page 7: ART EXHIBITION - TOOWOOMBA REGIONAL
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Page 13 and 14: Pony club conducts first event at m
Page 15 and 16: COMPUTERS and IT SERVICES COMPUDON
Page 17 and 18: IT’S PERSONALISED SERVICE “I ma
Page 19 and 20: BUY and SELL BUY and SELL QUALITY F

High Country Herald - July 4, 2017

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