Council Connections: Week 2, March 2011
The weekly program keeping you up to date with Toowoomba Regional Council’s facilities, activities and services.
Council Connections with Darren Burton
Darren talks about an extension for rate payments, Lake Cressbrook reopening, the pipeline to Highfields, a welcome to new residents at the Cobb and Co museum, a cemetery register presentation at the local history library, meetings of council, after hours emergencies and event support grants.
World Environment Day – Forests: Nature At Your Service 5 June, 2011
To whom it may concern,
I am writing from United Nations Environment Program, UNEP, and I have noticed, that you have previously supported World Environment Day (WED) by writing an article about a special event you have undertaken for World Environment Day
I hope you are also interested in supporting WED by organizing an event this year. We invite you, your family, school, clubs, online community, village, town, city or your country to celebrate this day with us. You can read more about this years World Environment Day and this years theme as well as download our logo, banners, and not least register your activity at the WED-site.
Thanks and best regards,
Camilla Thiele
Division of Communications and Public Information (DCPI)
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
P.O. Box 30552
Nairobi 00100
Kenya
Calls For Community Cabinet Deputation Requests
Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine is encouraging people concerned about mining explorations being carried out in the local area to apply for deputations at the upcoming Community Cabinet in Toowoomba on Sunday, March 13th.
Mr Shine said he had already raised the issue with the new Minister for Mining, Stirling Hinchliffe, and was keen for people who had questions about the process to raise them with the Minister.
Community Cabinet is a chance for locals to speak to Ministers directly about issues they may have, and I think that’s clearly what should happen here,†Mr Shine says.
This is a very important issue in our local area and I want to make sure the community takes advantage of this opportunity to put their views forward.
While I understand mining brings jobs to the local area, we need to protect the places where people live.
Explorations may never progress to actual mines and there are plenty of opportunities for people to have their say if a company wants to start a mine.â€
People requesting deputations about mining or other issues should contact the Toowoomba North Electorate Office on 4638 5755.
Australian Government Accepts Offer of Japanese War Records
The Australian Government has welcomed Japanese Foreign Minister Maehara’s apology to Australian Prisoners of War (POWs) for the horrors they endured under Japanese control in World War II. Foreign Minister Maehara’s apology was made in a spirit of reconciliation during the visit to Japan of five former Australian POWs and their carers under the auspices of the Japan-POW Friendship Group.
Foreign Minister Maehara also announced Japan would return to Australia historical records of former Australian POWs held by Japan during World War II. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kevin Rudd and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon, thanked the Japanese Government.
I welcome their offer which is made in the spirit of cooperation. These index cards were originally offered to Australia by the Japanese Government in 1953, but the Australian Government of the time chose not to take up the offer, believing that they would not contain any new information,†Mr Rudd said.
Minister Snowdon said the Japanese records may shed light on the fate of the members of Lark Force, many of whom were lost when the Japanese transport Montevideo Maru was sunk by a US submarine in 1942.
The Government recognises that there are families who remain uncertain about the fate of those captured by the Japanese during World War II,” said Mr Snowdon. In recent years, the Rabaul and Montevideo Maru Society have maintained interest in the fate of Australian prisoners of war and have pressed the Australian Government to seek access to the card system.”
The records are expected to be housed in the Australian War Memorial.
Monster Post-Flood Gold Coin Garage Sale March 7th & 8th
There has been a monstrous surplus of generously donated items amassed at the makeshift distribution centre in Darlow Street, Dalby following the floods.
A massive garage sale will be held by Western Downs Regional Council in Dalby, offering a range of goods in excellent condition. While many of the items are used, some are new.
The sale will take place between 9am and 4pm on Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th at 44 Darlow Street off Cooper Street.
Residents of Dalby and surrounding communities are invited to come and get what they need. Clothes, books, food, electrical and computer equipment, sporting goods and children’s toys are just some of the items that can be purchased for a gold coin donation.
Mayor Ray Brown said he hoped that residents across the district would turn up in their droves on Monday and Tuesday to pick up a few bargains. He said Council agreed to stop accepting donations and to hold a public sale to clear the oversupply due to the massive response.
I hope residents will be generous in purchasing the stocked items as much as they were in donating it. We have already distributed many donated items to individuals and families devastated by the floods. We’ve still got thatmuch left over, and we really don’t know what to do with it. Council had no idea that the goodwill and generosity of the public would be so overwhelming.â€
Cr Brown said the problem of oversupply was widespread. Councils and agencies in other flood and cyclone-affected communities throughout the State are experiencing the same problem and Western Downs Regional Council is unable to help them with the extra donations received.â€
He said all funds raised will be donated to Western Downs Regional Council’s Flood Relief Trust Fund.
For further information contact Vicki Ketchell on 4672 1185.