News in Brief 17 December, 2011

Meetings of Council
The next Ordinary meeting of Council will be at 9am Tuesday, January 24 at the Goombungee 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.

Crows Nest pedestrian bridge replacement
Plans for reconstruction of the twin pedestrian bridges at Bullocky Rest in Crows Nest are now on display in the Crows Nest Service Centre. Photographs of the bridge span, aerial view of the proposed alignment and the project plan for delivering the pedestrian bridges and major culverts in the northern area are on display. With design and construction of the pedestrian bridges is to be accelerated, on-ground works are scheduled to commence by early February 2012. Council thanks local residents, business and the community for their cooperation and support during the reconstruction works.

Youth Connect movie nights
The Youth Connect movie session on December 14 was the final session for 2011.  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

Majority of NDRRA submissions lodged
Council has lodged around 70% of the project submissions for Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) funding. Most remaining projects will be submitted before Christmas. Council expects the submission assessments will be approved progressively and take until at least March to be completed. The majority of project costs for flood restoration works will be funded under the NDRRA guidelines.

Council assumes full ownership of pipeline
Council officially assumes 100% ownership of the Wivenhoe pipeline on Tuesday (December 20). Restoration of damage caused by January's floods has been covered by insurance. Restoration work in the gorge section of the pipeline below Cressbrook Dam, which is covered by insurance, will be done by council in the new year when crews are able to access the gorge safely to carry out repairs.

Crows Nest Gallery - children's holiday workshops
Crows Nest will be a hive of children's creative activity in January with children's holiday art workshops. From 10am-2pm Wednesday, January 11 a free family arts activities day titled Drawing Life for Kids on Tour: Celebrating Artists hosted by the Queensland Art Gallery will be held at the Crows Nest Community Centre. No bookings required.
Crows Nest Regional Art Gallery will host a free, two-hour drawing workshop for children aged six to 14 years from 10am-12 noon Friday January 13 with local artist Judy Hayhoe. Bookings essential as numbers are limited. Thanks to a grant from Crows Nest and Highfields branches of Heritage Building Society, a series of workshops will be held January 17-19 at the Crows Nest Community Centre facilitated by Toowoomba artist Damien Kamholtz. Open to children aged up to 18 years, cost is $10 and it recommended you book early by contacting 4698 1687 or emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it before the gallery closes on December 23.

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 from 9am -1.30pm 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/New Year operating hours
Many council facilities will either close or have changed operating hours during the Christmas/New Year holiday period. 

Art Galleries
Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery closed from Saturday, December 24 to   Monday, January 2. The gallery shop will also be closed during the same period.     
Crows Nest Regional Art Gallery closed from Saturday, December 24 to Monday, January 16.
Rosalie Gallery closed from Monday, December 19 to Tuesday, January 17.

Libraries
Toowoomba City – closed public holidays; open 9.30am – 12 noon Saturday, December 24; open 11am – 4pm Wednesday 28 to Friday, December 30; open 9.30am – 12 noon Saturday, December 31. Reopens and returns to normal hours Tuesday, January 3.
Crows Nest – closes 12 noon Saturday, December 24, reopens Tuesday, January 3.
Highfields – same as Toowoomba City.
Oakey – same as Toowoomba City.
Goombungee – closes 1pm Saturday, December 24, reopens Tuesday, January 3.
Quinalow – closes 6.30pm Tuesday, December 20, reopens Tuesday, January 3.
Mobile Library – run finishes Saturday, December 24, recommences Tuesday, January 3.
Millmerran – closes 5pm Friday, December 23, reopens Tuesday, January 3.
Cecil Plains – closes Friday, December 23, reopens Wednesday, January 4.
Clifton – closes 12 noon Saturday, December 24, reopens Tuesday, January 3.
Pittsworth – closes 12 noon Saturday, December 24, reopens Tuesday, January 3.

Pittsworth Historic Village – reopens Thursday, January 26.
Toowoomba Animal Management Centre – closed public holidays, normal operating hours of 8am - 5pm on weekdays.
All waste management facilities will be closed on Christmas Day. Normal operating hours at other times.     
Toowoomba Visitor Information Centre – closed Christmas Day but open 9am – 5pm all other days. 
Hampton Visitor Information Centre – same as Toowoomba.

Holiday waste collection services
Wheelie bins collection services will operate on public holidays during the Christmas/New Year period; although collections will commence earlier than usual. If your normal waste collection day falls on a public holiday, please put your wheelie bin on the footpath earlier than normal.

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.

Charlton facility accepting greenwaste
Charlton waste facility is accepting 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.

Free mulch
Free mulch will be available at the Bedford Street Waste Management Centre between 10am – 4pm on Sunday, January 8. The mulch is limited to residential users and loads must be covered before vehicles leave the site.

Waste disposal fees and charges
On December 1, uniform gate fees were introduced at a number of the region's waste facilities to offset their operating costs. Hours of operation at these sites also changed. For further information, go to www.toowoombaRC.qld.gov.au , 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 if you qualify for assistance.

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.

New library hours
The Toowoomba City Library at 27 Victoria St will be trialling changes to operating hours. The new times will be:
• Monday, Tuesday, Friday – 9.30am to 6pm
• Wednesday and Thursday – 9.30am to 8pm
• Saturday – 9.30am to 4pm
• Sunday – noon to 4pm
 ** Please note that the City Library will close at 6pm Monday and Tuesday evenings and closures will apply during the Christmas/New Year period.

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.