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The free breast cancer screening service provided by BreastScreen Queensland Toowoomba Service is returning to Dalby on its two-yearly visit.

The Service will be located at the Dalby Hospital, and will offer free breast cancer screening from 7 March to 12 May 2011.

Research has shown that breast cancer screening is the most effective way of detecting early breast cancer, even before it can be felt,” says Dr Christine Harget-White, Director of BreastScreen Queensland Toowoomba Service. Identifying breast cancer at an early stage gives women the best possible chance of successful treatment.”

We recognise that health services are usually difficult to access in rural areas, and as such we encourage women to attend the Mobile Breast Cancer Screening Service when it is in Dalby,” said Miss Jessica Hobbs, Health Promotion Officer at the Service.

It is especially important for women in the 50 to 69 year age group to have a breastscreen every two years,” she emphasised, but all women 40 and over with no signs or symptoms of breast cancer are also eligible to participate in the free Program.”

BreastScreen Queensland Toowoomba Service has provided a high-quality breast cancer screening service for women in southern Queensland for over 19 years. FREE breastscreen appointments can be made by phoning 13 20 50.

Thanks to advanced repairs being effected at Dalby’s Water Plant. Western Downs Regional Council is easing water restrictions in Dalby from Level Five to Level Three, from midnght Friday 11th February.

Under the new restrictions, residents connected to the bulk town supply will be able to water their gardens up to nine hours a week, with a hand-held hose and permitted drip irrigation systems.

Spokesperson for Utilities – Water, Wastewater and Gas,  Councillor Bill McCutcheon attributed the decision to the work and skills of Council’s utilities team.

Dalby’s water supply was devastated on December 29 by the flooding from the Condamine River.

Long hours have been spent meticulously going through all of the treatment plant components – switchboards, controllers pumps, tanks, boresand pipe work to get the supply back online. The assistance from local electrical and pump contractors must also be acknowledged,” he said.

The town’s high capacity bores are again producing water and with both reverse osmosis plants and the river treatment plant all back online, Council feels it is safe to move back to level three. There is still work to be done with some components and automation of the treatment plants and eight of the lower capacity bores still to be restored.”

Cr McCutcheon praised the efforts of residents in conserving water during and after the floods.

The response of Dalby residents following the flooding is appreciated and there are many examples of people using tank water for washing and other purposes, and this has helped the town come through without the complete loss of supply,” he said.

Under level three, residents in even number properties can water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Residents in odd number properties and those with no numbers can water on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. People can water with a hand-held hose and allowed drip irrigation systems between 6.30am to 7.30am and 5pm to 7pm.

The washing of vehicles, boats and houses are permitted within the designated watering times. A total outside watering ban applies on Mondays. The use of sprinklers and sprinkler irrigation systems are not permitted, however buckets can be used at any time, excluding Mondays.

For more information about Level Three water restrictions visit the Council website www.wdrc.qld.gov.au or contact the Engineering Customer Service Centre on 4669 9000.

Queensland Governor Penelope Wensley AC paid a two-day visit last week to the Western Downs to inspect first-hand the widespread flood damage and recovery efforts in local communities. She was accompanied by her husband Stuart McCosker, Inspector Ian Thompson AD, Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Ray Brown and councillors.

Together, the group toured Dalby, Chinchilla, Tara and Warra on Friday and Condamine and Miles on Saturday allowing the Governor to receive an overview of the recent flood events, an update on the recovery operations and to speak with residents, community organisations and businesses affected by the flooding.

During the regional visit the Governor also took the opportunity to meet with SES personnel and volunteers to thank them for their efforts during the floods and in the clean up and recovery operations.

Western Downs Mayor Ray Brown said. The Governor was amazed at the level of destruction caused by the floods, the level of support from within the community and by the way in which the recovery operations are being conducted in each of the townships.”

Cr Brown said the Governor was particularly heartened by the support of the community when she visited the distribution centre in Dalby by the amount of clothing, food and furniture that had been donated to help flood-affected residents.

The Governor was very appreciative of people allowing her into their homes to see some of the damage that had occurred. She was warmly welcomed by all our communities and I thank the Governor for taking the time to visit our region.”