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Toowoomba Residents Urged To Kick Off Storm Season Clean Up

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Toowoomba Residents Urged To Kick Off Storm Season Clean Up

Is your home and yard ready to withstand storm season? State Emergency Service (SES) are urging residents to check roofs and gutters and clean up backyards before severe weather hits.

SES South Western Regional Manager Robert Bundy said there were measures residents could take to prepare their homes for heavy rain and severe weather. “There are a number of things residents can do to prepare their homes to minimise damage during severe weather activity,” he said. “Many SES call outs are to leaking roofs which is often a result of an existing problem or due to full gutters, so residents should look at checking their roofs and eaves, and cleaning gutters now to avoid a problem occurring amidst a storm.”

Toowoomba Local Controller John Harrison said most call outs in the Toowoomba area during storm season were to leaking roofs or damage caused by branches and debris. “It’s important that residents start cleaning up backyards, trimming overhanging branches and securing loose objects outside,” he said. “Everyday items could become a projectile in heavy wind, including outdoor furniture, dog kennels and trampolines. Even the occasional garden shed has been known to be caught in severe wind in the Toowoomba area, so it’s important to ensure all outdoor objects are tied down if severe weather is forecast.”

The Toowoomba SES group have been continuing their own storm season preparation, completing training in chainsaw use and maintenance and working at heights, skills that are often called upon in storm season. “We are ready to respond, but are asking residents to do what they can now to prepare themselves, their homes and families for storm season,” Mr Harrison said.

For further information on storm and severe weather preparation, visit
www.getready.qld.gov.au/be-prepared

Bonnie’s Journey Continues At Westbrook

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Bonnie’s Journey Continues At Westbrook

We are having our second car and bike display to raise funds for Bonnie Mcnamara at the Westbrook Tavern, Westbrook (on the Gore Highway just south of Toowoomba) on Sunday 9th of November from 9am to 2pm. We will be having a sausage sizzle, a multi-draw raffle with great prizes and giveaways.
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Those intending to show cars, please have them parked by 8.30am, in the Toowoomba side carpark – vehicle entry by donation. Public entry by donation also.
 

How To Avoid Food Poisoning – Food Safety Week

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How To Avoid Food Poisoning – Food Safety Week

Australian Food Safety Week will be held 9-16 November 2014. It is the major activity of the Food Safety Information Council, Australia’s leading disseminator of community targeted food safety information.

The theme for Australian Food Safety Week 2014 will be the Temperature Danger Zone †keeping hot food hot and cold food cold. Food poisoning bacteria can survive and grow rapidly if food is left out.in temperatures above 5°C and under 60°C.
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AFSW 2014Thermometer

The Temperature Danger Zone for food lies between 5°C and 60°C because in this zone bacteria in food can grow and toxins can accumulate to unsafe levels within a few hours. If you hold hot food before serving it should be kept at 60°C or greater. We should always refrigerate or freeze cooked food that isn’t going to be eaten straight away and keep perishable food refrigerated under 5°C,’ Council Chair Dr Eyles said.

The Food Safety Information Council says you can avoid becoming one of the estimated 4.1 million cases of food poisoning in Australia each year by following these 7 simple tips to keep your food out of the Temperature Danger Zone:

1. Plan ahead. Don’t over cater as the greater the quantity of food you prepare the harder it is to keep it hot or cool enough. If you are catering for a lot of people prepare food as closely as you can to the time you will serve it.

2. Keep your fridge at or below 5°C. Use a fridge thermometer to check that the fridge temperature stays around 4 to 5°C. Also make sure you have enough room in the fridge because if the food is packed tightly the cold air cannot circulate.

3. Check the storage instructions. Read the label on packaged food to see if it needs to be stored in the fridge or freezer, many unrefrigerated items may need to be refrigerated once opened.

4. Keep hot food at or over 60°C. Hot food needs to be kept and served at 60°C or hotter. If you are keeping it warm for someone put it in the oven at 60°C (or at 100°C if that is as low as your oven will go).

5. Divide food up to cool. Freshly cooked food, not for immediate consumption, should have the temperature reduced as quickly as possible. Divide into containers in small portions and put it into the fridge or freezer as soon as it stops steaming.

6. Keep food on the move cool. If you are transporting perishable food around such as: refrigerated or frozen shopping, your (or your child’s) lunch or goodies for a BBQ or a picnic always use a cooler bag and add a frozen block or drink to keep things cool.

7. If in doubt throw it out. If perishable food has been in the temperature danger zone for 2 to 4 hours consume it immediately. After 4 hours throw it out.

For further information: www.foodsafety.asn.au
AFSW 2014Australian Food Safety Week is the major activity of the Food Safety Information Council which aims to address the estimated 4.1 million cases of food-borne illness in Australia each year. Food poisoning results, on average, in 31,920 hospitalisations, 86 deaths and 1 million visits to doctors each year.

Submitted by:
Lydia Buchtmann,
Food Safety Information Council

Asbestos Awareness Month – Get To kNOw Asbestos This NOvember

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Asbestos Awareness Month – Get To kNOw Asbestos This NOvember

“Don’t Play Renovation Roulette! Get to kNOw Asbestos this NOvember!
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NOvember is National Asbestos Awareness Month aimed at encouraging homeowners, renovators, tradies and handymen to Get to kNOw Asbestos this NOvember by visiting asbestosawareness.com.au and take the 20 Point Asbestos Safety Check to learn how to protect themselves and families from exposure to dangerous asbestos fibres.

Peter Dunphy Chair of the Asbestos Education Committee working in partnership with the Asbestos Diseases Research Institute said, “There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos fibres. With at least 1 in 3 Australian homes containing asbestos, many homeowners, renovators, tradies and handymen are putting their health and the health of families at risk when doing home renovations, maintenance and demolition. Dangerous asbestos dust and fibres can be released, and when  inhaled can lead to asbestos-related diseases including mesothelioma, an incurable cancer occurring mainly in the lung.
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Australia has one of the highest rates of asbestos-related diseases in the world with growing evidence linking asbestos exposure to DIY and renovations with more people, specifically women, diagnosed as a result of inhaling fibres in a non-occupational setting. “If in good condition and left undisturbed, asbestos generally doesn’t pose a health risk. However, there is still a high volume of asbestos-containing building products used prior to 1987 which remain hidden dangers in homes and buildings so it’s critical that all Australians become asbestos aware.

“Many Australians wrongly believe that only fibro homes contain asbestos. Asbestos could be anywhere! With asbestos products still commonly found in and around brick, weatherboard, clad and fibro homes built or renovated before 1987, it’s vital that homeowners, renovators, tradesmen and handymen Get to kNOw Asbestos this November.”

“Visit www.asbestosawareness.com.au and take the 20 Point Safety check to learn where asbestos might be found in homes and on properties,  and how to manage it safely because it’s not worth the risk to themselves or to their families,” Mr Dunphy said.

When it comes to asbestos, Don’t play Renovation Roulette! Don’t cut it! Don’t drill it!  Don’t drop it!  Don’t sand it! Don’t saw it! Don’t scrape it! Don’t scrub it! Don’t dismantle it! Don’t tip it! Don’t waterblast it! Don’t demolish it! And whatever you do…  Don’t dump it!
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Melbourne Cup Luncheon Backs Charities

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Melbourne Cup Luncheon Backs Charities

The Toowoomba Hospital Foundation and Angel Flight will be the beneficiaries from a Melbourne Cup luncheon hosted by members of the Toowoomba West Lions Club & Quota International Toowoomba on Tuesday 4th November 2014 at Angelo’s House in Herries Street, Toowoomba.

A sumptuous luncheon that will feature champagne and savouries on arrival at 10.30am, a main course and desert plus coffee & tea, all provided for guests at just $70 a ticket that also includes a ticket in the major multi-draw raffle and the chance to win the Angelo’s House $100 dinner voucher lucky door prize.

Coomera Houseboat Holidays on the Gold Coast have donated a houseboat holiday plus there will be an accommodation package at Sanctuary Beach Resort at Currumbin & Coolum Caprice on the Sunshine Coast to be won plus lots more prizes in the multi draw raffle. The usual Melbourne Cup sweeps will be conducted and there will be a fashion parade from Bramptons and prizes for the Best Dressed & Fasicinator/Hat.

For table bookings and more information contact Angelo’s House on 4659 9200.

Submitted by:
Peter Rookas,
CEO,
Toowoomba Hospital Foundation
Ph. 4616  6166

Toowoomba CBD Parking Changes Introduced

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Toowoomba CBD Parking Changes Introduced

Toowoomba Regional Council has announced changes to the CBD parking times to boost retail turnover in the city.

Cr_Chris_TaitFeedback from stakeholders indicated the two-hour parking was being used by some local workers and business owners for all-day free parking with cars commonly being shifted several times a day to avoid parking fines.

Infrastructure spokesperson Cr Chris Tait said the way people interact with the city was constantly changing and Council continuedsto modify its parking practices in response to the needs of residents and business owners.

“One and two-hour free parking was initially established in Ruthven and Margaret Streets to off-set the free parking in Garden Town and Grand Central Shopping Centre and to improve customer access to the “main-street” shopping precinct,” Cr Tait said. “Council wants this area to be used for what it is designed for so we are reducing the parking time limit in the centre parking bays and increasing the number of medium-term bays on the outer streets to cater for those needing a bit more time in the city to do business.”

Changes have begun in Ruthven and Margaret Streets where the previous two-hour limit for free centre parking will change to free one-hour parking while increasing the number of medium-term bays on the outer streets to cater for those needing a bit more time in the city to conduct business.

Three hour time limits will be introduced on Neil Street (Margaret to Herries Streets) and Annand Street with Victoria Street (Margaret to Russell Streets) to follow shortly.

Council is also looking at other options to address parking in the city and fringe areas, namely:

• The development of a multi-storey car park over an existing TRC off-street parking facility;
• Exploring the potential for possible park and ride shuttle facilities; and
• Lobbying the State Government to improve public transport in the city.

Submitted by:
Chris Leslight
Media co-ordinator
Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
Toowoomba Regional Council

Toowoomba Spring Home Show Set To Amaze

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Toowoomba Spring Home Show Set To Amaze

An estimated 12,000 people will attend this weekend’s Toowoomba Spring Home Show and Camping and Leisure Expo at the Toowoomba Showgrounds. They will be treated to an incredible range of household, lifestyle, caravan, camping, leisure, health and finance/insurance products and services.

150 exhibitors from near and far, indeed as far away as New Zealand and Adelaide will form the display. They will be showing the latest in caravans, camper trailers, camping equipment, pools, household items, lifestyle products, health and beauty and 100 other gadgets and gizmos.

Greg Johnson with Jodie and Lee from Skin Sensations
Greg Johnson (centre) with Jodie and Lee from Skin Sensations

Australian Events Director Corporate Development Greg Johnson said: “We are excited to be bringing this big show to our home town having delivered similar shows across Queensland throughout 2014. With the extraordinary developments and initiatives in this region we can anticipate a record turnout. “As well as our big displays, food and beverage outlets, giveaways, competitions and the sheer interactivity of the event, patrons can expect a brand new element that I am particularly enthusiastic about, namely 21 demonstrations on stage, with me, over the three days profiling everything from pain relief to gym sessions, brick laying to solar power and olives to wine.”

The demonstrations will be held in the Founders Pavilion and feature twelve exhibitors including local companies All-Safe Energy Efficient Products, Darling Downs Brick Sales, Electrical Sensations, Holland Wines, Skin Sensations, Solar Centre, USQ Student Guild/The Works and Water Saver Gardens. Mr Johnson added: “It’s great to see so many local companies involved in the show and really pushing the ‘Shop Local. Buy Local’ message proudly saying to residents that the best buys are right here on their doorsteps?”

Gates open at 9.00am each day and close at 5.00pm Friday and Saturday and 4.00pm on Sunday. Visit www.toowoombahomeshow.com.au for full event details.

Another Great Event For Highfields Sunday 26th October

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Highfields Spring Fair

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