News in Brief 10 December

Meetings of Council

The next Ordinary meeting of Council will be at 9am Tuesday, December 13 at the Pittsworth Service Centre. For more information, phone 131 TRC (131 872).

Members needed for YAP working group

Toowoomba Regional Council is seeking nominations for community representatives for the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers Young Ambassador Program Working Group (YAP), to facilitate the timely and effective management of the 2012 Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers YAP. Nominations will close Friday, January 6, 2012. Visit www.tcof.com.au  for more details.

Pool parties a cool outing

Looking for a cool summer outing? Youth Connect is hosting pool parties at three centres as part of its Regional Summer Fun Days. The fun starts at Oakey on Sunday, December 11 followed by parties at Pittsworth (December 12) and Crows Nest on December 14, before the movie night. All parties run from noon to 4.30pm. Entry is free with a barbecue, PS3 battles and supervised swimming. Children under 12 must be supervised by parents or an adult. Free entry is limited to 125 patrons. Check details on Facebook.

Crows Nest movie night December 14

Gulliver's Travels featuring Jack Black screens at Centenary Park, Crows Nest on Wednesday, December 14. Residents are invited to settle in for a picnic before the movie screens from 7pm. The movie nights are part of council's new Youth Connect program. This is the final movie session for the year. A new movie will screen around the region in January. Keep up to date with activities and check program news at www.facebook.com/YouthConnectTRC   or at www.toowoombaRC.qld.gov.au/youthconnect

Free arts, heritage project advice

Arts and heritage groups looking for assistance to develop community projects are invited to join a free workshop in Toowoomba on Monday, December 12. The clinic will be run by Creative Regions, which is a not-for-profit company engaged by Arts Queensland and the Australia Council for the Arts to deliver the Creative Generators program. Creative Regions South West representative Sally Johnston will advise people on how to advance art and cultural projects and discuss potential strategic arts projects. To book a session email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or call 0418 227 784. (visit: www.creativeregions.com.au)   The venue will be provided when booking.

Simple rules for criterium track

Council has erected signs at Toowoomba's criterium track off Harvey Road, Glenvale listing simple safety rules for all users. All cyclists must obey the following track rules when using the venue: All cyclists must wear a helmet, all tracks are to be ridden anti-clockwise, give way to cyclists on Track One (or full course layout – 1.76km), always overtake on the right, care should be taken when overtaking children or inexperienced cyclists, early morning users must consider noise levels affecting nearby residents. Facility rules include: Walkers/joggers are prohibited from the track, pedestrians must give way to cyclists and use extreme caution when crossing the track, no motorised vehicles are permitted, dogs must be kept on a leash, all rubbish must be placed in bins provided. The venue is open free for public use unless the track has been booked. A noticeboard at the venue will indicate whether the track is open or closed to the public. Bookings can be made by calling 131 872.

Check before buying a pet

Pets make great Christmas gifts, but looking after new animals extends well beyond the festive season. Residents are encouraged to ask friends or relatives if they would like a new pet before making a Christmas purchase. Responsible pet ownership requires new owners to register and microchip their animals. For full details on council's pet regulations, please call 131 872 or visit www.toowoombaRC.qld.gov.au/petrego

Immunisation Clinic hours

The year's final immunisation clinic will be held at 12 Little Street, Toowoomba on Wednesday, December 21. The clinic resumes on Wednesday, January 4, 2012. The first evening clinic is on Thursday, January 5. Vaccines will be administered from 6.30-7.30pm. Please bring your Medicare card and relevant health information.

Geham waste facility closed to public

Geham waste facility will reach capacity soon and has closed to the public. Residents wishing to tip domestic waste are advised to use other nearby facilities including Kleinton, Crows Nest or Ravensbourne. The nearest facility for commercial operators is Toowoomba Waste Management Centre at Bedford Street.

Christmas at the Village

Christmas at the Pittsworth Pioneer Village starts at 4pm on Sunday, December 11. Plenty of games, giveaways, competitions and prizes will make for a fun family evening and the children's decorated Christmas box competition offers cash prizes. There'll be a barbecue and tea, coffee and soft drinks are available. Santa will visit with iceblocks for the kids. Carols by Candlelight starts at sundown. For enquiries, call Jason on 4619 8388.

Toowoomba Aerodrome project completed

Runway overlay work has finished at Toowoomba Aerodrome. New asphalt was laid on the existing runway to complete the second phase of the Toowoomba Aerodrome upgrade project.

New Heritage Committee members welcomed

Council has welcomed the newly appointed members of the Heritage Advisory Committee (HAC). The HAC members - Eleanor Cullen, Chris Gay, Tracey Hoolachan, Vincent Little, Faye Meyers, Donna Moodie, Patrick Murphy, Penelope Tudor and Anne Turner - bring diverse experience to the group. The HAC members meet regularly to discuss ideas on how to make the Toowoomba region's unique cultural heritage available to a wider audience.

Religious & spiritual works at Crows Nest Gallery

A selection of religious and spiritual works feature in the current exhibition at the Crows Nest Regional Art Gallery. 'Here In Spirit' features works by Dianne Turner, Nadia Kliendanze, Garth Hockly, Helen Pearson, Amahl Gaafar, Jan Kolarski, Fiona Omeenyo and Tracey Hanlon. The gallery will host the display until Friday, December 23 before it closes from December 24 to January 17 for the Christmas break. Opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm, and Sunday 11.30am to 4pm.

Community open day & tree planting

Community members are invited to an open day and tree planting along Gowrie Creek near Jellicoe Street, Toowoomba from 9am on Sunday, December 11 followed by a BBQ lunch. Jointly funded by council and Ergon Energy Envirofund, the project rehabilitated a small section of Gowrie Creek. The local community is invited to come along and see what has been done and to contribute by helping with the planting.

Charlton facility accepting greenwaste

Charlton waste facility now is able to accept greenwaste loads again. The greenwaste stockpile has been mulched and is available for residents to collect for free. Loads are limited to residential users and must be covered prior to leaving the site. Residents are asked to follow staff directions on site and are advised to wear closed-in shoes. Please ensure greenwaste loads include only vegetation.

Waste disposal fees and charges

From December 1, uniform gate fees will be introduced at a number of the region's waste facilities to offset their operating costs. Hours of operation at these sites will also change. For further information, go here or call 131 872 or drop in to a customer service centre.

On the hunt for pianos

A Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers 2012 project now requires just three more working pianos to be donated for use throughout the region. Please call 4688 6661 if you can assist.

Replacement of Jellicoe St Bridge

Design work for construction of the new Jellicoe St Bridge is underway and construction works should start by early 2012. Due to community concerns about the bridge being out of service, council is progressing the project as a high priority and trying to minimise the construction period. Please continue to support businesses in the area as access is readily available via surrounding streets.

Mobile library incorporates customer service function

Council's customer service staff have jumped onboard council's mobile library each Tuesday to answer enquiries and process payments. A customer service officer (CSO) will accompany the mobile library when it travels to Cooyar, Cooyar State School, Kulpi and Haden State School (first and third Tuesdays) and Bowenville, Jondaryan and Mt Tyson schools (second and fourth Tuesdays).

Partnership to aid flood rebuilding efforts

The Australian Apprentice Work Teams (AWT) is a State and Federal Government-funded initiative with the capacity to provide a construction workforce and to allocate materials grants to a community or sporting group that needs repair work or flood rebuild work; a not-for-profit organisation that needs repair work; or a person who has sustained flood damage on their home (criteria applies on home repair work). If you fall into one of the above groups, then call 1800 819 747 to find out what type of assistance you may qualify for.

Libraries hosting mobile phone lessons

Council is hosting a free Stay Connected program in conjunction with Telstra at libraries across the region to teach seniors how to use mobile phones. Four different sessions will be held at libraries at Toowoomba, Crows Nest, Millmerran, Pittsworth, Goombungee, Quinalow and Yarraman and the Highfields Fitness and Recreation Centre starting later this month through to March next year. Sessions cover basic mobile phone operation and how to send and receive texts and photos. For session times and bookings, please phone 131 872 or ask at your local library. A full list of times and venues can be viewed here.

Quick Response RADF Grants open

Toowoomba Regional Council 'Quick Response RADF Grants' are applicable to Category 1: Developing Regional Skills applicants only. Applications need to be submitted no later than six weeks before activities start. Fund guidelines are available at www.toowoombaRC.qld.gov.au  or by calling 131 872. Application forms are available from the Arts Queensland website www.arts.qld.gov.au/funding/radf.html  or council's customer service centres. Applicants are encouraged to consider the guidelines before submitting their application.

Volunteer at Toowoomba Gallery and Shop

Volunteers are needed to help at Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery and The Gallery Shop on weekdays and at weekends. Interested people would serve in gallery reception and visitor information and also help with retail duties in the Gallery shop. Positions would suit retirees, students and people with a passion for the arts. Please contact the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery for more information on 4688 6652.

Toowoomba Gallery Shop hours

The Gallery Shop at Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery, 531 Ruthven Street is now open Saturdays from 11am to 3pm. Opening times are from 10am to 3.45pm Tuesday to Friday and public holidays, and from 1pm to 3.45pm Sundays.

Reminder to dam users

Visitors and residents are reminded that Cooby Dam's Loveday Cove has been reopened, however, Cooby's dam wall area remains closed to the public until further notice. Perseverance and Cressbrook dams have also reopened following repairs to facilities and access roads. For further information, please call 131 872.

Community Information Directory

The Toowoomba Regional Community Information Directory (CID) is a free online listing facility for everything from hobbies to health, education to environment. To register your organisation, go to council's website and follow the link on the right-hand side.

After hours emergencies

Don't forget, in a life-threatening situation call triple zero (000) but for matters such as burst water mains, blocked sewers or dog attacks after hours please contact council's emergency number 131 872.