Cr Kathy Duff - Natural Resource Management & Parks Portfolio Report - 16 August 2017

Feral Animal Control

Rabbits from Coolabunia and Taabinga were trapped and injected with K5, a new strain of Calici virus (RHDV-K5). The Rabbits have been released back into the wild to allow the virus to spread throughout Rabbit populations and assist in the control of escalating Rabbit numbers. K5 is a Korean strain recently approved by the Federal Government after ten years of research and an 18 month assessment period. K5 was one of 38 different strains of the virus evaluated and was chosen because it will work in cool, high production regions where other strains of calici virus have not been as successful or in populations of Rabbits that have built an immunity to other strains of Calici virus.

Weed control

Mother of Millions property inspections commenced and treatment of Council roadsides and reserves in Proston, Wondai, Hivesville, Blackbutt and Nanango. All roadsides and reserves containing Giant Rats Tail Grass received treatment and property inspections were conducted in Glenrock, Cloyna and Bullcamp. Contractors are currently treating Mother of Millions in the Murgon and Kingaroy areas.

Wandering livestock

Council’s Natural resources staff attended 13 wandering livestock reports across the region in July leading to the impoundment of 10 head of cattle, 1 pony and 1 pig.

Equipment Loan Program

Landholders borrowed equipment to assist in control of Giant Rats Tail Grass at Moondooner and Bullcamp, Lantana at Tablelands and Mother of Millions at Maidenwell. A total of 13 traps were loaned for the control of Wild dogs, pigs, cats and Rabbits.

Coolabunia Saleyards

July fat and store sales attracted a total of 697 head; saleyard staff inspected 1091 cattle and dipped 1,367 head. Preparations have begun for specialty sales to commence in August with the annual stud Charolais, Charbray bull sale on 17th August.

Fire Management

Nanango Rural Fire Brigade Group and McEuen Rural Fire Brigade have completed prescribed hazard reduction burns at Gordonbrook Dam, Tingoora Reserve, Booie Reserve, Malar Reserve, Maidenwell Reserve, Nanango Refuse Reserve, Kingaroy Night Soil Reserve and Nanango Fauna Reserve.

Work 4 Queensland – update

BP DAM

• Cabin upgrades are continuing at Yallakool Caravan & Recreation Park.  To date all 9 new kitchenettes & Shower cavities have been installed.  Painting has been completed on cabins 1 to 3, 8 & 9 and new curtains and dining tables and chairs added to provide a new and modern appearance to the cabins.  New steps have been installed in cabins 1-3 with hand rails due to be installed soon.  Work is continuing on the remaining five cabins. 
• Boondooma Tourist Park Reinstate Drainage – design for stage one completed and quoting materials and services starting and will continue over the coming weeks.
• Boondooma Tourist Park Cabin Access - design completed, out to procurement construction scheduled for August/September.

Parks & Gardens Report

Kingaroy

Kingaroy staff have been cleaning up Taabinga cemetery gardens and Catholic section, getting rid of leaf litter and rubbish from the trees. They have also painted road edging between sections at the cemetery and started weed eating the town entrances again. They have constructed a sleeper retaining wall around the top BBQ at Apex Park and are also installing a shelter over the BBQ which should be finished in the next few days. Staff have erected shelters and signage on the rail trail. Garden maintenance is continuing as well as Park Runs and attending to Customer Requests.

Murgon and Wondai

Murgon and Wondai staff are continuing to progress through the Winter Work Plan and Program with the trimming of trees and mowing on road verges, general park maintenance and tidying of Town entrances. Staff have nearly completed the painting and oiling of park benches and the bottoms of the trees in Coronation Drive (Murgon) have been trimmed back for visual aid. Staff have been busy on the new spraying rig treating the bindies and clover at the cemeteries and Dingo Park is nearly complete with just pressure cleaning of the slab and cleaning of the playground and park features to be done.

Proston and Dams

Proston – General Park maintenance and mowing program continuing through the winter months. The new Durong toilet block is now officially opened and operational.

Dams – General maintenance and tidying of the grounds continues to keep up the respectable appearance for the visitors and campers.

Nanango and Blackbutt

Tree pruning in CBD area completed, new plants have been put in where fire and errant motor vehicles damaged things and the planting on the roundabout is now finished. Blackbutt gardens beautified for festival, town and park mowing completed.

Rail Trail Update

South Burnett & Cherbourg on Show is coming up on the October long weekend and on Sunday October 1st will be the launch of the South Burnett Rail Trail. There will be activities in every town along the corridor and an opportunity to go into the draw for some locally sponsored major prizes. Please save the date and help to celebrate what has already become a major tourist attraction for our region.