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Shires To Amalgamate by 2008 April 20, 2007 - The State Government's Local Government Reform Commission - named this week - has been given just three months to recommend new boundaries for amalgamated shires throughout Queensland so they can be established in time for the 2008 council elections. The Size, Shape and Sustainability voluntary review - which had been progressing for more than 12 months in the South Burnett - has been scrapped. The website covering the proposed Crows Nest - Rosalie merger (which was passing through a public consultation process towards a vote by shire residents) has already disappeared. There will be no public vote under the new arrangement although the LGRC "will take submissions from councils, organisations and the community" to assist with their deliberations. For more information, visit the Local Government Reform website to read the Minister's press statement and FAQs, and to download the Local Government Reform report.

Web Targeted By Clay Shooters April 19, 2007 - Kingaroy Clay Target Club has a new website which lists upcoming events, recent results and club photos. The club, which is located opposite Kingaroy Airport, holds regular shoots on the first Sunday of every month and visitors are most welcome. For more information, contact president Gary Brown on (07) 4169-0351 or secretary Steve Kelly on (07) 4162-5122.

Learn How To Manage For Profit April 18, 2007 - The Department of State Development will be hosting two workshops in Kingaroy next month designed to assist small business owners to manage profits and cash. The Managing For Profits workshop will be held from 6-9pm on Wednesday May 9 at Kingaroy RSL Club. This will help identify the financial elements of a small business and how to calculate financial ratios to monitor business performance. The Managing Your Cash workshop, which will cover cashflows, will be held a week later (May 16) at the same time and venue. Cost is $27.50 per workshop, which includes GST and light refreshments. For further information or to register, email State Development.

Caravan Rally Seeks Local Support April 17, 2007 - The Combined Caravan Clubs of Queensland State Rally will be held in Kingaroy from September 26 to October 3 this year ... and a staggering 350 plus caravans are expected! The last time they dropped by (in March for a quick preview of the town) they spent an amazing $55,000 in just three days. And this was just 60 vans! The organisers are publishing a Rally Program which will be distributed to all the visitors. It will feature things to do and see in the local area. They are now seeking advertising support from South Burnett businesses to help offset the cost. This should be a great opportunity for all local businesses to target their goods and services directly to these visitors. For more information, contact Bob McKernon on 0408-887-139 or by email or download the attached ad booking form (77kb PDF)

Bush and Beach in Kingaroy April 16, 2007 - Hivesville artist Shannus O'Sullivan, (right), has a whimsical series of bush and beach works on display at the Kingaroy Shire Art Gallery this month. Shannus made the South Burnett home in 2004 and is currently putting the finishing touches to a gallery and work area at his Hivesville home. This is his second showing in Kingaroy and his 36th one-man show. The artworks will be on display at the Kingaroy Shire Art Gallery in Haly Street until the end of April.

Jim and Marg On Track In Kingaroy April 13, 2007 - Jim Macdonald and Marg Tainton have just moved their Trak Upholstery business to Kingaroy Shire. They specialise in furniture upholstery but also do trimming for cars, boats, trucks and tractors. And you don't have to carry your heavy furniture around town for a quote! Just ring, and they'll come out and see you. Jim and Marg can be contacted on (07) 4163-6674 or by email.

Learn How To Protect Your Identity April 12, 2007 - Did you know identity fraud is the fastest growing crime in the world? Detective Senior-Constable Rod Shelton from the Qld Fraud Squad will be presenting an information session on Identity Fraud at the Town Common Hall in Oliver Bond Street from 7pm on Wednesday May 9 ... so mark your diaries! The evening, presented by Kingaroy Neighbourhood Watch in conjunction with Kingaroy Police, will cover methods used to obtain false IDs, the costs to the community, credit card skimming and how individuals can prevent identity theft. All local businesses and interested community members are invited to attend. Admission is free but please RSVP for catering purposes to Shane or Peter at Kingaroy Police Station on (07) 4160-4900 by April 27.

Sign Up For a Fun Day of Golf! April 11, 2007 - The Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry's annual golf day for local business people (it doesn't matter if you're not a member of the Chamber!) is on again this month (April 28). It's a three-ball ambrose and is open to all players – novice, juniors and seniors. There'll be a BBQ lunch available from 11:30am to 2:30pm. Start whenever you arrive but prizes will be awarded at 4pm at the clubhouse. Cost is $20 (which includes the BBQ). Further information is available from the Golf Club on (07) 4162-1720.

Peter & Karen Stake A Claim In Nanango April 10, 2007 - Peter and Karen Hancock are the new faces at the recently renamed PK Meats at 42 Fitzroy Street, Nanango. The Hancocks purchased the Gaedtke Family Butchery on April 2. Bill Gaedtke started the business in Drayton Street in 1972 and moved into the current premises in 1980. Sons Mark and David have worked there since their apprenticeships. PK Meats can be contacted on (07) 4163-1639.

Latest WBBACC Newsletter Available April 5, 2007 - The latest edition of the Wide Bay Burnett Area Consultative Committee's electronic Regional Update is now available online. The electronic newsletter is designed to provide all the latest information on events, activities and grant opportunities distributed by the Federal Government. To join the email mailing list, contact Cameron Bisley at the WBBACC on (07) 4121-7099 or email him

Software Solutions For South Burnett April 4, 2007 - Software engineer Andreas Kellner has moved his business to Kingaroy, operating as Evolution 2 Enterprises. Andreas, who is based at 23 Jonelle Street, Taabinga Village, told SBBiz he had worked in Silicon Valley for 12 years and has a Masters Degree in computer science. As well as software skills, Andreas is offering "turnkey solutions" to local businesses looking for a web presence. His packages include design and development, domain name registration and hosting. He can be contacted on (07) 4162-7775 or by email.

JLA Opens New Office April 3, 2007 - Property valuers John Logan and Associates have moved into the old Gary Ogden Real Estate office at 101 Kingaroy Street, Kingaroy. JLA, who have been operating in Kingaroy for a number of years, have also launched a new website. Paul Turner can be contacted on (07) 4162-7822 or by email.

New Face Of The KCCI April 2, 2007 - The Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry has a new face behind the wheel ... KCCI Manager John Carey, (right), officially started work today. John was formerly Community Development Officer at Rosalie Shire Council for six years and before that was with Brisbane City Council. He is looking forward to assisting the KCCI meet its objective to service its members, especially through targeting funding opportunities. He will also be organising all the Chamber's regular activities including Meet'n'Greets, Business Awards and Women In Business Network. He can be reached on (07) 4162-8466.

Stuart Range Toasts Butter Factory Centenary March 30, 2007 - To mark the centenary of the Kingaroy Butter Factory, Kingaroy winery Stuart Range - which is located in the old butter factory complex in William Street - has released a special limited edition red wine. "Cow and Grape" has been made from grapes harvested last year from the 850 vines planted adjacent to the old factory. Only 850 bottles have been produced with each bottle hand-numbered and sealed with red wax. The souvenir bottles are available only at the Stuart Range Cellar Door.

Christmas Shop On The Move March 29, 2007 - The Aussie Christmas Shop, Woodcraft and Gallery at Murgon has closed but the business lives on ... as a mobile and mail-order service. Owner Gina O'Brien still offers a huge range of Christmas, garden and Australiana cut-outs, novelty and vinyl signs as well as woodcraft items and promotional products. She can be contacted on (07) 4168-3533 or 0427-062-854. South Burnett CTC will be opening an office soon in the old Christmas Shop premises.

Rates Relief For Drought-Hit Farmers March 28, 2007 - Rural producers receiving Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payments can now get a 50 per cent rebate on their Shire rates. “The main criteria is that producers need to be receiving the Centrelink ECRP to access the shire rates rebate and must pay their rates in full to claim the 50 per cent rebate,” Agforce president Mr Peter Kenny said. The rebate, which will be paid by the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority, will only apply to the rates component of the bill and excludes any services such as water and waste disposal. It is available on rates paid in the 2006-07 and 2007-08 financial years. To apply, producers can download a form from the QRAA website or call 1800-623-946.

Rosalie Shire Info Booklet Online March 27, 2007 - Rosalie Shire's annual Council Information Booklet (right), which contains handy information about the shire, is available to download from the council's website (521kb PDF). As well as rates information, the booklet contains information about Council's library services, a useful Council contact directory and information about other council matters. NB. The bi-monthly Kilkivan Shire newsletter is also available from that Shire's website.

Wondai Hotel Unveils New Website March 26, 2007 - The Wondai Hotel has launched its own website, built by local Wondai company Southedge Design. The Wondai Hotel, at 35 Haly Street, Wondai, offers accommodation as well as dinner and lunch seven days a week. Publican Jim Sloane can be contacted on (07) 4168-5833 or by email.

Kingaroy To Host Rotary District Conference March 23, 2007 - In a big coup for the South Burnett, the Rotary District 9600 Conference - hosted by Kingaroy, Kingaroy-Taabinga and Murgon Rotary Clubs - will be held in Kingaroy on April 13-15. It is quite unusual for a Rotary conference to be held in a country town. The big day is Saturday when the afternoon's activities will be open to the general public. In the afternoon, the guest speaker will be Robyn Moore (How Green Was My Cactus). From 4pm to 6:30pm, there will be displays by the South Burnett Wine Industry Association, Visitor Information Centre, The Peanut Van and Kingaroy Cheese in the "House of Friendship". Cost for the afternoon's activities is $10 with tickets available at the door. For more information, contact Geoff Aird on (07) 4162-4628.

Audit Update For Associations March 22, 2007 - The State Government has announced changes to the Associations Incorporation Act designed to simplify the annual auditing and public liability insurance requirements of registered associations in Queensland. The amendments introduce three levels of financial reporting requirements linked to revenue and current assets. Associations will also no longer be required to take out public liability insurance unless they own, lease or hold land in trust. The managment committees of all other associations must decide whether or not there is a need to take out insurance. Download press release (14kb)