Smart Parking in the Toowoomba CBD has been switched on from 28th July, with paid parking in bays recommencing.TRC Infrastructure Committee Portfolio Leader Cr Melissa Taylor welcomed the new technology which will allow residents to easily find available parking bays, offer contact-less payment and the option to extend parking time within the existing time limits.
This is a step forward for our community and will allow residents to make payments on the new ‘Toowoomba Parking’ App otherwise the large machines will accept all payment types and the small machines will accept card payments,†Cr Taylor said.
Parking prices and time limits remain unchanged however, the first 30 minutes of on-street paid parking within the CBD will be free under the Smart Parking project. 30 minutes of free parking has been retained to support businesses within the CBD by encouraging turn over in the city centre.”
While the first 30 minutes is free, customers will still be required to use a parking meter or the App every time they park regardless of how long they are parking in case they choose to stay longer than originally anticipated.”
We know the move to this new system is a change for our residents and ask for patience during this phase of our Toowoomba City Centre Car Parking Strategy.”
If you’re experiencing any difficulties and need help, please contact our team on 131 872 so we can quickly resolve this for you.â€
Toowoomba Regional Council have engaged with Tilma Group to deliver an exciting program covering topics such as Volunteering, Community Governance, Insurance, Events and Activations, Grant Funding, and Collaboration.
The evening will also include table conversations with our topic presenters as well as providing the opportunity to meet your fellow hall committees, share experiences, learnings and ideas.
Conferences will be held at:
Goombungee Public Hall on Tuesday, 26th July from 6pm-9pm
Felton Hall on Wednesday, 27th July from 6pm-9pm
Bookings are essential and can be made via phoning 131 872 – please note there is a limit of two members per committeeThough the conferences are tailored to halls, all regional community groups and organisations are able to attend, so please spread the word.
Submitted by: Michelle Davies Team Leader – Community Development Community Development, Facilities and Tourism Toowoomba Regional Council
Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio has invited Ukrainian Ambassador Mr Vasyl Myroshnychenko to visit the Toowoomba region and see first-hand why the garden city is a refugee welcome zone.
The invitation comes after Mayor Antonio met Ambassador Myroshnychenko at the recent Local Government Association of Australia National Conference in Canberra. It was so inspiring to hear Ambassador Myroshnychenko speak in Canberra about his amazing journey to get to Australia to take up his ambassadorship after the Russian invasion of his country.”
At the same time, it is also shocking and disheartening to hear of the millions of Ukrainians that have now been displaced as a result of Russia’s attacks. The people of Toowoomba stand beside those of Ukraine and I personally condemn the barbaric Russian invasion of the Ukraine.”
Toowoomba is Australia’s Garden City, we are a refugee welcome zone and have an inclusive community that has helped to resettle thousands of migrants from all over the world in recent years.”
Our industry is built on the back of the agricultural sector, much in the same way Ukraine relies so heavily on their $13 billion farming and food processing industry. Ukrainians who choose to call Toowoomba home would be welcome with open arms and have a plethora of employment opportunities at their feet.”
I have invited Ambassador Myroshnychenko and his family to come and visit Toowoomba to see first-hand why we are one of Australia’s most liveable regions. I look forward to hearing from the Ambassador in coming weeks,†Mayor Antonio said.
Chair of DownsSteam, Ros Scotney, has advised us that they are on track to realise their dream of offering tourist rain trips, having passed round 1 of accreditation to test their rolling stock on the main line. See for yourself where everything’s at …
If you write grants for a community organisation…. This workshop is for you! Learn tricks of the trade & develop a library of information you need to write winning grants!
The Gambling Community Benefit Fund - www.justice.qld.gov.au – 5 rounds a year and the most popluar and very easy to apply for- up to $35,000
FRRR-Â Funding Available | FRRR– this is absolutely a good place to start- there are several grants all different amounts and round closing times but for example:
Thanks to the generous support of Nutrien Ag Solutions, grants up to $5,000 are available to not-for-profit or incorporated organisations in rural and regional Australia to deliver projects that have a charitable purpose to broadly benefit their local community, contributing to its strength and creating long-term positive outcomes.
For example:
Bringing people and community organisations together to foster stronger, more resilient communities;
Fostering and celebrating a sense of identity, diversity and cultural connection within the community;
Improving community health and social wellbeing;
Enabling people to develop skills, knowledge and confidence to lead and contribute to the prosperity and renewal of their community;
Building a sustainable volunteer base and/or supporting the wellbeing of volunteers;
Celebrating and resourcing volunteer-led efforts;
Increasing access and inclusion for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups;
Enhancing places where communities gather;
Promoting connection to place and enabling initiatives that champion a community’s social, cultural or economic aspirations.
Before you begin searching for the grant, develop a project plan by asking key questions such as;
Who are you?
What are you proposing to do?
Why does this project need to happen?
What will change because of this project?
How are you going to achieve this?
When are the key dates and milestones?
Who is involved in the project?
What costs are involved?
What will be the outcome?Submitted By:
Michelle Davies Team Leader – Community Development Community Development, Facilities and Tourism Toowoomba Regional Council Michelle.Davies@tr.qld.gov.au
Ann-Marie Johnston has this week been appointed as the Finance and Business Strategy General Manager at Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC).
TRC CEO Brian Pidgeon said Ms Johnston had been successful following a highly competitive nation-wide recruitment process. During an extended period as Acting General Manager, Ann-Marie excelled in this role so it’s great to see her formally appointed to the position,†Mr Pidgeon said.
Ann-Marie joined Council in 2011, following an extensive career in financial management in diverse industries including manufacturing, insurance, transport, education, engineering, agri-business and arts management.”
This extensive experience includes 12 years at the Empire Theatre, 10 of those as General Manager, five years as Council’s Principal Accountant and more than three years as Financial Services Manager.”
In the role of General Manager I’m confident our organisation and Executive Leadership Team will continue to benefit from Ann-Marie’s professional approach to financial management, sustainability and strong commitment to improving diversity and inclusion.”
I know she’s committed to helping our organisation thrive and will continue to improve the services we provide to our communities throughout the Region.”
Ann-Marie lives in the Toowoomba Region, loves the community she serves and is a wonderful asset to Council. On behalf of Council, I wish Ann-Marie every success in the role as General Manager and look forward to working alongside her over the coming years.â€
Abby Blaikie Communication and Engagement Officer Customer, Communication and Engagement Toowoomba Regional Council
Darling Downs residents are being encouraged to protect themselves against influenza, as the cooler months start to set in. The best way to avoid getting sick is to talk to your GP about receiving a flu vaccination.
For the year to date, 1st January to 8th May 2022, there have been 39 laboratory confirmed cases of influenza in the Darling Downs Health region. Director of Public Health and Community Medicine at Darling Downs Health Dr Liam Flynn said this is slightly increased in comparison to previous years, which is why it’s important to get the flu vaccine.
Now is a great time to protect yourself and your loved ones, so you’re immunised before the flu season arrives,†Dr Flynn said. Flu season in Queensland typically peaks in August, so I’d encourage all members of our community to visit their GP or pharmacist and get the influenza jab soon. The flu hasn’t gone away, and we still face the possibility of a serious flu season this year.â€
Influenza is a very contagious, viral infection that can affect the upper airways and lungs. In addition to receiving the vaccination, there are also some simple steps that can be taken to help fight the flu. These include washing your hands, covering your coughs and sneezes, and staying home if you’re sick.
Some members of the community are more at risk from influenza and its complications, therefore are eligible to receive the vaccination for free under the National Immunisation Program.
These people include people 65 years and over, pregnant women, all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over six months of age, children from six months to five years of age and people with certain medical conditions.
To find out where you can receive your flu vaccination talk to your local GP or pharmacist.
Submitted by: Anthea Holborn Media, Communications and Engagement Manager Darling Downs Health
Many neurological disorders like Parkinson’s, chronic depression and other psychiatric conditions could be managed at home, thanks to a collaborative project involving researchers at the University of Queensland (UQ).
Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) Professor Peter Silburn AM said his team, together with Neurosciences Queensland and Abbott Neuromodulation have developed a remote care platform that allows patients to access treatment from anywhere in the world.
Professors Peter Silburn AM and Terry Coyne OAM
By creating the world’s first integrated and completely wireless remote care platform, we have removed the need for patients to see their doctor in person to have their device adjusted,†Professor Silburn said.
Electrodes are surgically inserted into the brain and electrical stimulation is delivered by a pacemaker which alters brain function – providing therapeutic relief and improving quality of life.
This digital platform allows clinicians to monitor patients remotely, as well as adjust the device to treat and alleviate symptoms in real time. We have shown that it is possible to minimise disruption to patients’ and carers’ lifestyles by increasing accessibility to the service, saving time and money,†Professor Silburn said.
There are no cures for many of these conditions which often require life-long treatment and care, so for those people the device would be a game-changer.†He said the system also fostered increasingly personalised treatment and data-driven clinical decisions, which could improve patient care.
During the study, we established the platform safety, security, usability and effectiveness and optimised its features using patient feedback in a biodesign process,†Professor Silburn said. In the initial weeks of a limited market release, we conducted 858 remote care sessions and maintained a robust and high success rate.â€
While the team started working on this digital health solution before COVID-19, the pandemic elevated the need for remote care platforms, particularly for older people and those living in remote areas with increased travel difficulties.
Through the pandemic patients have become more familiar with telemedicine and far more willing to adapt to platforms that connect them remotely to their healthcare teams,” Professor Silburn said.
The researchers are confident the technology could be adapted for many other conditions in the future. As we discover more about the biomarkers in brain-related disorders, we will refine neuromodulation systems to improve treatment for neuropsychiatric disorders like depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anorexia and Tourette’s syndrome, to name just a few,†Professor Silburn said.
The digital health platform for remote neuromodulation systems has regulatory approval and launched in Australia in October 2021. It has also been adopted in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration Service and the European CE-Mark. Professor Silburn and QBI Director Professor Pankaj Sah and Associate Professor Terry Coyne will present at a series of information sessions for patients and carers living with Parkinson’s Disease, Dystonia, Essential Tremor and Tourette’s Syndrome in regional Queensland in the coming months.
The first information session will be held in Toowoomba on Saturday 30th April 2022 at the City Golf Club in Toowoomba from 9-11am.
Register here.
This research was published in Nature Scientific Reports (DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06098-7)
TRC Infrastructure Committee Portfolio Leader Cr Melissa Taylor welcomed the new technology which will allow residents to easily find available parking bays, offer contact-less payment and the option to extend parking time within the existing time limits.
