Hervey Bay Gossip

Traveston Dam comes to Hervey Bay and the Fraser Coast

The Fraser Coast community is being encouraged to attend an information day to learn more about how they can have their say on the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam.

Acting Premier Anna Bligh and Member for Hervey Bay Andrew McNamara encouraged residents, community groups and other interested stakeholders to attend an information day in Maryborough on Saturday January 20.

“This is the community’s chance to find out more about the proposed dam and how they can have input into the Terms of Reference which will govern the wide range of environmental and other technical studies to be undertaken on the dam,” Ms Bligh said.

“The objective of these studies is to ensure all potential environmental, social and economic impacts of the project are identified and assessed and that steps are outlined about how to mitigate against any adverse impacts,” she said.

“The draft Terms of Reference for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) were released for public comment by the Coordinator-General on December 9 last year.”

Mr McNamara said he was pleased that communities in the Fraser Coast area would have the opportunity to learn more about the EIS process and how they can contribute.

“I recognize there are some very strong feelings and views on the dam within some parts of the Fraser Coast community,” he said.

“That’s why it’s important that everyone who wants to, has the opportunity to help shape the Terms of Reference.

“The Terms of Reference currently cover the potential impact of the dam on the downstream environmental flow of the Mary River and any potential issues associated with noxious plants or weeds downstream.

“The terms of reference also cover potential impacts on the water quality and habitats of the Great Sandy Strait Ramsar Wetland and World Heritage-listed Fraser Island.

“These are important issues for the local community. That’s why I would encourage individuals and groups with an interest in the project to make a submission on the draft Terms of Reference by 19 February.”

The community information day, which is being run by Queensland Water Infrastructure, will be held at Brolga Theatre lawns, Walker Street, Maryborough on Saturday January 20, 11am-3pm.

Members of the community will have the opportunity to speak with project team members to ask questions or seek clarification about information that is on display.

The Haervey Bay RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $4,000 from the Federal Government under the Saluting Their Service commemorations program.

The money will go towards the installation of a commemorative water feature consisting of sandstone boulders which will incorporate plaques and a flagpole at the Baycrest Retirement Village.

The Saluting Their Service programme is designed to encourage community participation in commemorative activities honouring the service and sacrifice of those who have served Australia in wars, conflicts and peace keeping operations.

Back in December 2005 we asked what’s happening at the Anchorage?. At the time there was speculation that the park had been sold and now it seems that it has.

Not only has the park been sold but now it’s been cleared of vans and cabins.

Yvonne who I can hear you say?

While many here in Hervey Bay may not recognise this lady by her real name we will certainly remember the character she is best remembered for - Lily Munster.

Ms De Carlo was 84 and died of natural causes last Monday.

Today a litre of ULP at the Caltext servo on Boat Harbour Drive Pialba was selling for 108.9. Yesterday the cheapest fuel in Brisbane was 112.9.

Today the cheapest fuel in Brisbane is on a par with Hervey Bay while thed average price of fuel in Brisbane is 110.9

Education and Training Minister, Rod Welford, has reminded Queensland families that first term school holidays will begin after Easter this year.

“Last year the vacation started before Good Friday, but as part of our undertaking to set school terms of similar length, this year sees a return to the usual Easter holiday pattern,” Mr Welford said.

The 2007 state school year starts on Monday 29 January and finishes on Friday 14 December.

For student attendance, the 2007 term and holiday dates are:

    * Term 1 commences Monday 29 January and ends Thursday 5 April
    * Term 2 commences Tuesday 17 April and ends Friday 22 June
    * Term 3 commences Tuesday 10 July and ends Friday 21 September
    * Term 4 commences Monday 8 October and ends Friday 14 December.

Year 12 state school students will finish school on Friday 16 November, while Year 10 and 11 students complete their year on Friday 30 November.

State school teachers will have professional development opportunities on the following student-free days: 25 January, 16 April, 9 July, and 22 October.

“These days enable teachers and schools to forward plan and undertake professional development programs to support their work in the classroom,” Mr Welford said.

Queensland school students will also receive an additional student-free day which usually coincides with their local Show Holiday. During this time, teachers will be able to do further professional or school development activities.

It’s hard to believe that on Sunday, while Brisbane and Gold Coast beaches were experiencing rough seas the beaches on Hervey Bay should look like this.

and this

Not as bad as they could be

Yesterday the Courier Mail carried a story about the shortage of rental properties around Queensland. Of course, a shortage of rental properties means that rents are going to go up and if you read the Courier Mail story you will see that, in some places, agents and landlords are actually auctioning the lease to the whoever is prepared to pay the most rent.

Fortunately things aren’t quite that bad just yet. Even at this busy time of the year there are rental properties available from the major renting agents … but not many.

These days it certainly work in the tenant’s favour if they are seen as good tenants and there is a lesson to be learned from the experience of one couple and what they did to save on their monthly rent. You can read that story here

While the crew from the Hervey Bay Gossip did not attend the monster truck show reports that we have heard all seem to suggest that it was a spectacular evening.

Not quite so spectacular was the hour it took for some people to get from Susan River back to Hervey Bay - and those were the people who left after the trucks and before the concert.

And reports of $5.00 for a Dagwood Dog must have made them a little hard to swallow.

etween Christmas and New Year we noticed a police car parked outside the Titus Pet and Aquarium store in Main Street Hervey Bay.

It now seems that dozens of pets were left inside the store over the Christmas break without food and water.

You can read the full story as reported in the Courier Mail here