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Have Your Say On The Blueprint For The Bush September 30, 2005 - The joint Agforce / Qld Government "Blueprint For The Bush" will be one of the topics discussed at the KCCI Meet'n'Greet which will be held in Kingaroy on Monday October 3. Guest speaker will be Phil Casey who will explain the 10-year plan to help rural and remote communities and industries manage change. As well, Cameron Bisley from the Wide Bay Burnett Area Consultative Committee, will discuss the Regional Partnerships Program. The Meet'n'Greet will be held at the Kingaroy Hotel Motel in Youngman Street from 6:00pm. Admission is $5 for KCCI members and $8 for non-members.

Smart Move For Owner-Builders September 29, 2005 - A new business aimed at owner-builders has moved into the former Fitness Centre premises in the Youngman Street Industrial Estate in Kingaroy. Paul Hume has opened a South Burnett branch of Steelsmart Kit Homes and offers a range of affordable steel-frame kit houses to choose from. South Burnett Steelsmart Kit Homes can also be contacted on (07) 4162-8317 or by email

KCCI Offers Team-Building Training Opportunity September 28, 2005 - The Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Synthesis Trainers and Consultants are offering a one-day training seminar concentrating on "Team Performance". The hands-on exercises cover topics including roles and responsibilities, rules and boundaries, and conflict resolution. Cost is $155 (inc GST) which includes course materials, lunch, and morning and afternoon teas. The training will be held at the Motel Kingaroy on October 5 from 9:00am to 4:30pm. Book ASAP on (07) 4162-8466.

Dynamic Computer Business Opens September 27, 2005 - A new computer sales, service and consultancy business, Dynamic Computer Services, has opened to service Murgon, Goomeri, Kilkivan and surrounding areas. David Rowe recently moved to the area to be closer to his wife's family. He formerly worked in Brisbane (TAB Qld) and London. Initially the business will be home-based however he hopes to have a shopfront open in either Murgon or Goomeri within six months. Dynamic Computer Services can be reached on (07) 4169-7727 or by email

Recent Additions To SBBiz September 26, 2005 - Website links added to Southburnett.biz last week include a new website for Kingaroy's Motel Oasis, a new SBBiz poster page, and one of the region's oldest websites which has never been listed here before. Max and Mandy Smith's Motel Oasis, at 50 Walter Road, Kingaroy, has a new website with online bookings available. Wendy Martin, from Adventures in Space and Time, has a new poster page on the Net. Wendy's Kingaroy business is a time management and system organisation consultancy. The third addition is Rebecca Bell's Birds Down Under site. Ozbird.com, which is based in Nanango, traces its web heritage back to 1995 and sells Australiana gifts, gems, opals and other unique items.

Murgon Meatworkers In Limbo September 23, 2005 - ABC Radio is reporting that nearly 350 workers at the South Burnett Beef meatworks in Murgon will be stood down indefinitely after today. Bindaree Beef told the ABC high cattle prices and an increase in the cost of production had caused the closure, which would not be permanent. The position would be reviewed again at the end of next week.

Another Useful Local Website September 22, 2005 - The Wide Bay Burnett Human Services Network provides a useful website for residents and welfare services in the the Wide Bay-Burnett "Country Coast" region. WBBHSN, which grew out of the Wide Bay 2020 regional growth strategy, is the region's peak human services representative group. The website includes regional planning information, reference links, maps, and information on several working groups.

Ecosystem Maps Available Online September 21, 2005 - Certified Regional Ecosystem Maps for Queensland can now be accessed for free online. The maps, provided by the Environmental Protection Agency, show: The current distribution and status of remnant vegetation Essential habitat Wildlife corridors Property boundaries National Park and State Forest boundaries Bioregion boundaries; and Towns and roads In areas where regional ecosystem mapping is not available (West and North Queensland), remnant vegetation cover is shown. This information will help landholders understand their obligations under the Vegetation Management Act which came into force on May 21.

SB Aquatic Centre Opens September 20, 2005 - The new indoor South Burnett Aquatic Centre, located on the site of the old Nanango Shire swimming pool in Henry Street, Nanango, opened to the public yesterday. The pool is open during summer on weekdays from 5.30am-7am and 9am to 6pm; and on weekends from 8am to 6pm (times will be adjusted in winter). Funding of $385,000 was granted under the Federal Government's Regional Partnerships program for a hydrotherapy pool to be incorporated into the Centre which also includes a club room, a first aid and physiotherapy room, a children's pool and a barbecue area.

South Burnett Scoops Tourism Awards September 19, 2005 - Congratulations to all the South Burnett winners announced at the Fraser Coast South Burnett Regional Tourism Awards dinner in Maryborough on Saturday night: Hillview Cottages (General Accommodation) Bethany Cottages (Hosted Accomodation) Boondooma Homestead (Heritage & Cultural Tourism) Captains Paddock (Wineries) Goomeri Pumpkin Festival (Regional Festivals & Special Events) The Peanut Van (Tourism Retailing) Bunya Forest Gallery (Eateries and Cafes) Wondai Visitor Information Centre (Tourism Associations & Visitor Information Centres; NB. Murgon Visitor Information Centre was highly commended). Chairman's Award for best submission: Bethany Cottages Judge's Award for most improved product: Goomeri Pumpkin Festival

QIRC Says No To Sunday Trading September 16, 2005 - The Queensland Industrial Relations Commission has rejected the application by the National Retail Association for Sunday trading in regional south-east Queensland (including Kingaroy). The QIRC cited a lack of evidence of "economic advantage" for its decision and said there was "no real evidence of increased employment through Sunday trading". A survey of members of the Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry found that the overwhelming majority did not want Sunday trading and a public forum hosted by the KCCI (see story March 24) also rejected the proposal.

Useful Websites For Small Business September 15, 2005 - Here's some useful websites recommended by Small Business Field Officer Peter Gregory in the Winter edition of the WBBACC Economic Up-Date: www.business.gov.au - a must for anyone starting, expanding or value-adding to their business; this entry point to on-line government resources covers licences and permits; franchises; superannuation etc www.abr.business.gov.au - ABN look-up ... publicly available information on businesses www.decipher.biz - useful data for anyone connected to the tourism industry www.industrytechlink.com.au - free technology and referral service www.superchoice.gov.au - explains recent superannuation changes and a "super" calculator

Community Bank To Open On Friday September 14, 2005 - After months of hard work, the new Yarraman & District Community Bank will open in Yarraman this Friday. The bank is located on the corner of the D'Aguilar Highway and the New England Highway although its address is officially 23 Toomey Street. Shares in the venture are still available for purchase. Manager is Anne Woodrow and all banking facilities will be available including loans, insurance and business banking. Opening celebrations, which include morning tea, will run from 9:00am to 11:00am.

Funeral Questions Answered September 13, 2005 - Funeral directors H.P. Virgo and Son - based in Kingaroy but servicing the whole South Burnett - have launched a new website. Virgo and Son were established in Kingaroy in 1939 but were purchased earlier this year by another family-based funeral business, Gympie Funerals, and are now managed by Liam Yewdall. The website includes information about coping with grief and answers frequently asked questions about organising a funeral.

Tarong Fund Calls For Applications September 12, 2005 - Rio Tinto Coal Australia's Tarong Mine Community Development Fund is calling for applications for its funding round which closes on September 23. Since 1999, the fund has distributed almost $1.2 million to community-led projects in Kingaroy, Nanango and the northern part of Rosalie Shire. It aims to assist projects that will help local communities meet economic, social and educational challenges. Guidelines are available from Margie Magnussen on (07) 4160-7231. The fund has assisted many worthwhile South Burnett projects get off the ground ... including this website!

Huge Weekend Ahead! September 9, 2005 - It's shaping up to be a HUGE weekend in Kingaroy and Nanango shires ... here's just a few of the events happening: Friday: Elegant Craft Affair (Nanango); Shire Art Gallery official opening (Kingaroy) Saturday: Peanut Festival (Kingaroy); Country Music Muster (Nanango); Big Sing (Kingaroy); Fly-In (Kingaroy); Vintage Machinery Rally (Kumbia); Aquatic Centre opening (Kingaroy); Visitor Information Centre opening (Kingaroy); Mayovale Gallery opening (Kingaroy) Sunday: Fly-In (Kingaroy); Big Sing Combined Choirs Concert (2pm Kingaroy) Most of these events could not take place without the strong support of local councils, the business community and teams of volunteers!

Central Contact Point For Heritage Precinct September 8, 2005 - The development of the new Kingaroy Information, Art and Heritage Precinct in Haly Street has created a new central phone contact point for three major Kingaroy institutions. The Kingaroy Bicentennial Heritage Museum, the South Burnett Visitor Information Centre and the Kingaroy Shire Art Gallery can now all be reached on (07) 4162-6272. The new precinct will be officially opened on Saturday at noon by Federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services (and former Kingaroy mayor) Warren Truss.

Mayovale Gallery To Open On Saturday September 7, 2005 - The first exhibition at the new Mayovale Gallery at The Artists Cottage (opposite Kingaroy Airport) will open on Saturday at 10:00am. It will feature works by six local artists: Diane Woodall, Kelly Thompson, Helen Blythman, Mara Curtis, Karol Oakley and John Baird. Four artists' studios at the complex will also be opening, including Nangami Janaiwee "Dream With Me" (Cindy Laws); Earth Bone Creations (Liz Aycock) and Sue's Colour'n Threads (Sue Bradley). The Artists Cottage is owned by Garry and Karla Eyre and Cheryl Mallett. Also part of the complex is the outdoor Cafe Nouveau which is open seven days from 10am to 4pm and serves light meals.

Cruisin' Since 1969 September 6, 2005 - Kingaroy-based livestock transport business Porters Transport is on the market. A report in the Supply Chain Review recently detailed the history of the iconic Queensland company which began in 1969. Col and Marie Porter have built up a successful Queensland-wide business from their Kingaroy base and their Cruisin' Without Bruisin' slogan has become as well-known on the highway as their distinctive B-Double rigs. Porters have also always supported local community events, a tradition which has continued with this year's Kingaroy Peanut Festival.

Great Bunya Drive Unveiled September 5, 2005 - The new "Great Bunya Drive" tourism brochure will be formally launched at an official function at the Bunya Mountains Accommodation Centre on September 14. The brochure, (right), leads travellers from Toowoomba to Gympie via Kumbia, the Bunya Mountains, Maidenwell and Nanango to Kingaroy, Wondai, Murgon, Goomeri and Kilkivan. It includes a map plus details of cellar doors, restaurants, museums, art galleries and accommodation venues along the route. There's also information about annual events, markets and national parks. Tourists can pick up a copy of the new brochure at local Visitor Information Centres.