History buffs can view treasures from the John Oxley Library collection in a travelling tour of the region by library staff. The ‘white gloves’ tour, also featuring items from Toowoomba’s Local History Library, will visit Clifton Library at 3pm Tuesday, December 1, Pittsworth Library at 10.30am Wednesday, December 2, Millmerran Library at 2.30pm, December 2 and the Local History Library Toowoomba at 10am, December 3. For details call 4638 7766.

The next Committee of Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 8 and Wednesday, December 9 at 9am at Toowoomba City Hall. For more information, contact 4688 6356.

Cooby Dam wall area has been closed to the public as a precautionary move due to an algal bloom.

Toowoomba Regional Council officers are conducting algal counts and toxicity testing to define the extent of the problem. Test results will determine how long the picnic area is off limits to the public.

Council officers closed this area as the water supply to the toilets and taps near the wall is untreated water from the dam.

Initial tests indicated the algae counts did not warrant closing the dam for fishing.

Loveday Cove remains open as the area’s toilets and recreational facilities are supplied with bore water.

The algal bloom represents no risk to Toowoomba’s water supply as it is removed through the Mt Kynoch Water Treatment Plant.

Additional testing will be carried out this week to monitor the problem.
 

Council is seeking applications from 18-24 yr olds commencing their 2nd or 3rd year of a SQIT diploma or USQ degree in 2010. The $5000 William Groom scholarship will go to the applicant who has graduated from a high school in the TRC region, who demonstrates sound academic achievement and community involvement. Application forms available from SQIT student admin, USQ student guild or from the TRC website. For details contact Teresa on 4688 6616

Council’s new online Community Information Directory will be launched with a demonstration and free movie night next Saturday, November 21 at 6.30pm on the Village Green beside City Hall. The Disney animation Bolt will be screened. In the event of wet weather, phone 4688 6758 for alternative arrangements. Not-for-profit organisations and community groups across the region are invited to register their details on the directory by logging on to www.toowoombaRC.qld.gov.au/cid For more information, please phone 4688 6851.

Ratepayers should soon receive their half-yearly water rate notices in the mail. Payment of water rates is due by December 15. Please note the water access charge has been moved from the general rate notice to the water rate notice to spread the rate burden more evenly over the year. Please refer to FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) on the flyer accompanying the notice for further information. Payment options are on the back of the rate notice.

If you know a person, community group or community event that deserves recognition, nominate them/it for a local and/or regional Australia Day Award. Nomination forms as well as guidelines, hints and selection criteria are available from any council service centre, or from council’s website. Contact Norm Garsden on 4688 6964 for further information. Nominations close November 30.

Link

Australia Day nomination forms

Residents are reminded to prepare their properties for the bushfire season. For a full list of necessary precautions and bushfire updates, visit council’s disaster website at disaster.toowoombaRC.qld.gov.au

Residents can book 20-minute discussion appointments with Cr Anne Glasheen by phoning 4692 0144.

Meeting schedule:

• Oct 16 Yarraman Memorial Hall 11.30am-2pm
• Nov 7 Cooyar Hotel 10am to noon.

Crows Nest Regional Art Gallery is seeking expressions of interest for its 2009 Christmas Exhibition. If you create any art or craft object that would make a great Christmas present, please contact us here.

Parking fines will increase for certain offences across Toowoomba city from Monday, Oct 5. Penalty increases are in line with State Govt penalty rises. New penalties: Expired meter fines and failing to display a ticket $20, exceeding maximum time $30, stopping in a Loading Zone $40, parking in No Stopping Zone $70, parking on footpath $40. Failing to display a Disabled Parking Permit remains a $100 fine.

Toowoomba water supply network users are reminded Level 5 water restrictions remain in force. Residents can use water in a bucket to clean car windscreens, mirrors and headlights for safety reasons as well as pet enclosures and wheelie bins. Restrictions do not apply to rainwater use.

Join free exercise sessions in the Energise community program. Activities cater for all abilities and fitness levels at venues in Toowoomba, Cambooya, Highfields, Oakey, Pittsworth, Millmerran and Clifton. New activities include an Over 50s class and evening circuit classes in Clifton and new Toowoomba classes. Visit www.energise.org.au to view the full October program.

Cobb+Co Museum’s entrance and gift shop will be moved to the Cobbs Coffee Shop from 5 October 2009.

The Cobbs Coffee Shop entrance is further north on Lindsay Street and will be the main entrance to the Museum until mid-2010.

Museum Director Deborah Tranter said the entrance is being moved to make way for the National Carriage Factory development which is expected to open in September 2010.

“The Museum will stay open throughout the construction of the National Carriage Factory development and visitors will still be able to enjoy the popular range of activities and exhibitions as well as some new ones. 

Ratepayers will notice a change to the way their general rates and water rates are billed. The water access charge will now be included on the water rates notice, along with water consumption charges. The water rate notices will be sent out in mid-November.

Crows Nest Regional Art Gallery is looking for volunteers to help supervise the gallery which is open Tuesday to Sunday. Please contact Alex Isaacson on 4698 1687

Crows Nest Regional Art Gallery is now accepting proposals for its 2010 calendar. Interested artists can collect a proposal pack directly from the gallery or phone 4698 1687.

Council is committed to building on the success of the “our TOOWOOMBA towards 2050” Community Planning Project. ACTION 2050 is a new community planning project specifically designed to engage all communities within the Council area in the development of a community plan for the Toowoomba Regional Council.

• View action 2050 project article.