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Ryder Report Targets Kingaroy For Growth February 25, 2010 - Property analyst Terry Ryder has told the Fairfax media that median house prices in Kingaroy could rise by up to 47 per cent during the next five years. In a report published in the Queensland Country Life, Sydney Morning Herald, Domain.com.au and reproduced online on numerous blog sites, Mr Ryder said "first home buyers and investors alike should turn their attention to Kingaroy where the median house price of $210,000 is half the median house price in Brisbane". He pointed to "three key industrial projects", ie the Kunioon mine, Coopers Gap windfarm and the Cougar UCG plant, as going to create jobs and increase demand for accommodation. However, what the newspapers failed to mention is that the development of the Kunioon mine has been officially postponed, federal legislation has delayed the Coopers Gap development and the Cougar project is still awaiting final approval.

Help For Businesses To Maintain Jobs February 24, 2010 - The State Government has made grants available for a consultant to work with local businesses in the South Burnett to help them weather the economic downturn and maintain jobs. The Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation's Jobs Assist program is designed to assist businesses - and not-for-profit organisations - who have at least 10 full-time employees. The businesses must be located within "Local Priority Employment Areas" identified by the Federal Government which includes the Southern Wide Bay Burnett. The consultant will conduct an assessment of the business and develop an Action Plan to address the business's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats and develop a reporting process to support and improve the business. In Stage Two, the consultant will assist the business to implement a reporting process and activities as priority tasks. There is no cost to the business and the work to be undertaken can be quite flexible within this framework so long as it preserves and grows jobs. More information on the program is available from Adam Vieglais, DEEDI. on (07) 4121-1780 or by email

Paw Pals Invited To Register Online February 23, 2010 - You can register online now to take part in the RSPCA's 2010 Million Paws Walk in Kingaroy. The annual fundraiser, which will be held on May 16, includes a 3km walk from the RSPCA's Kingaroy shelter on Warren Truss Drive (near the airport), starting at 8:00am. There'll be competitions and great prizes to win as well as the opportunity to meet lots of other animal lovers and their furry friends. To register for this year's walk, visit the Million Paws website.

TAFE Enrolments To Top 2300 February 22, 2010 - Annual enrolments at Kingaroy's TAFE College are expected to top 2300 this year. The campus, part of the Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE, is the largest training provider in the South Burnett and offers full-time, part-time and flexible courses, including Videolinq classes from other campuses. Support Services Manager Simon Neal, (pictured, above right, with TAFE staff member Lis Buzzo), said there was still time to enrol in programs such business, information technology, hospitality, aged care, child studies, disability studies, welding, machining, electrical and automotive. Campus Business Coordinator Rhonda McDade said now was also an excellent time for employers to consider their 2010 calendar of staff training. "We can tailor training to suit your business requirements. Recognition of Prior Learning is also a cost and time effective method of recognising the skills of employees. We can assist you with this process and any necessary gap training," Mrs McDade said.

Tickets On Sale For KCCI Business Awards! February 19, 2010 - The Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry has a limited number of tickets on sale now for its 2010 Kingaroy Heritage Business Excellence Awards gala dinner on March 27. This always popular annual event will feature entertainment by internationally renown impressionist Danny McMaster who has headlined in Hollywood and Las Vegas. Tickets are $75 and also include a three-course meal, made from local produce, and a complimentary drink on arrival. For more information. contact KCCI Project Officer Kylie Schulte on (07) 4162-8466 or visit the KCCI website

Neil Elected SBTA President February 18, 2010 - Neil Archer, from Kingaroy B&B Red Rock on Booie was elected president of the South Burnett Tourism Association's recent AGM. Retiring president was John Bjelke-Petersen from Bethany Cottages. Other positions have been filled by: Vice-President - Jason Kinsella (Moffatdale Ridge Winery). Secretary - Cynthia Hatchett Treasurer - Judy Cooper (Crane Wines). Executive Members - Bruce Hurley (The Left Bank) and Eleanor Sharpe (South Burnett Regional Council)

Wine & Food Festival Menus Online February 17, 2010 - The menus for the VIP Marquee Restaurant - which will be erected in Kingaroy's Memorial Park as part of the 2010 South Burnett Wine and Food in the Park Festival on March 13 - are now available on the Festival's website The restaurant will be located inside the giant wine marquee and will feature gourmet offerings from local chefs Jennifer Mills and Brent Shorter from the Kingaroy Hotel-Motel. This year the restaurant will be offering two sittings: A lunch-time menu (between noon and 2:00pm) where patrons can enjoy a choice of three a-la-carte meals for between $22 and $25; or A four-course Dinner Showcase from 6:30pm where for $59 guests can work way through four great courses. Seating is very limited, so patrons should book in advance by phoning Kelly on (07) 4162-1677.

TAFE Courses Cater For Food and Wine Lovers February 16, 2010 - The Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE has planned a serious of workshops that should appeal to both home chefs as well as professionals employed in the hospitality industry. On March 16, coffee lovers can up learn all they ever wanted to know about serving their favourite beans from a qualified barista. On March 18, local celebrity chef Jason Ford will be teaching the "cutting edge techniques"of kitchen knife skills. On April 27, people wanting to learn the basics of wine will learn how to visually appraise wines and evaluate different wine styles. This is a pre-requisite for the next course ... on June 1, owner, workers and managers of cellar doors will get the chance to brush up on their skills under the guidance of a leading Granite Belt winery operator. There are also Responsible Management of a Licensed Venue, Responsible Service of Alcohol, Food Safety and Responsible Gaming Services courses being organised. For more information, contact Kingaroy TAFE on (07) 4160-4400

Landcare Group To Test Strategies At Booubyjan February 15, 2010 - The South East Burnett Landcare group is aiming to increase the adoption of sustainable land practices in the region with the start of a new major project. Between 10-12 demonstration sites will be set up on farms in the Booubyjan/Tansey area, followed by a series of six seminars to share practical information about the sites. Project Manager Erin Lawless, (pictured at right with SEB Landcare President David O'Donohoe), said the demonstration sites would allow land managers to view how sustainable land management techniques could be implemented. At the on-site seminars they would be able to ask questions about the practical day-to-day steps required to implement the techniques. "For many farmers, not knowing what to do, and the uncertainty about how much real difference these techniques are making to ecological and productive systems, can hinder their uptake. This is what we want to change. We'll provide the funding, do the testing, and use scientific processes to find out which techniques will work to make our farming businesses and ecosystems stronger," she said. For further information about the project and the demonstration sites, contact Erin on (07) 4168-6014 or 0418-188-365.

State Government To Fund Regional Development Groups February 12, 2010 - Regional development organisations within the Wide Bay-Burnett region have been invited to apply for State Government funding designed to stimulate economic growth and create jobs. The 2010-2014 Queensland Regional Development Initiative will provide a total of $7.52 million to support regional economic development projects across the State. Wide Bay-Burnett regional development organisations will each be able to access a total of $920,000 over the four years.

Truss To Formally Open Crematorium February 11, 2010 - Virgo Funerals' new office, funeral home and crematorium, located adjacent to the Taabinga Cemetery in Kingaroy, will be formally opened by Member for Wide Bay Warren Truss on March 22. The crematorium is the first such facility in the South Burnett. Virgo Funerals shifted into their new premised last November and held an open night in December to allow local residents to inspect the premises and chapel. Mr Truss, a former Kingaroy Shire Mayor, is Federal Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Trade, Transport Regional Development and Local Government. He is a third generation farmer from the Kumbia District near Kingaroy, Queensland. He entered Federal Parliament in March 1990 as a National Party Member representing the electorate of Wide Bay.

Cougar 'Mobilises' For UCG Start February 10, 2010 - Cougar Energy says it has begun commissioning its pilot Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) plant at Coolabunia and is on track to begin gas production by early March. Kingaroy site manager Andrew Brown told the Minerals Processing website the company has recruited an operations team for the plant and "many are from the Kingaroy region". "All staff have mobilised to site for an intense period of training and familiarisation ahead of the impending start-up," he said. Mr Brown said final tests at a new fourth production well, conducted last week, had produced positive results. "The result increases our confidence that we will have a smooth and successful start-up at Kingaroy," he said.

Local Producers To Star at Wine and Food in the Park February 9, 2010 - This year's South Burnett Wine and Food in the Park festival - in Kingaroy on March 13 - will have an extra special focus on food this year. As well as the popular PCA South Burnett Regional Cook-Off, there'll also be a Food Producers Tent featuring Sheree Strauss from Kingaroy Caterers, Bronywn Bisley from Taste South Burnett and well-known local chef Mike Giles. The trio will prepare tasting plates - both hot and cold platters - which will be available for sale for $10. The platters will feature local foodstuffs including Barkers Creek pork and Ivyhome Dairy. There will also be displays from local producers including Proteco, Kingaroy Cheese, Butterfly Country Kitchen, Kingaroy Gourmet Peanuts, Windera Hydroponics, Red Fox Pitaya, Kinbombi Beef, Bunya Gold and The Peanut Van. For more information about this year's Wine and Food in the Park Festival - including the full entertainment rundown - visit the festival website

Gas-Powered Future For Tarong? February 8, 2010 - A further question mark has been raised over the postponed Kunioon coal mine with confirmation that the State Government is considering building a gas pipeline from the Surat Basin to power the stations. ABC Radio reported today that a feasibility study is being conducted into the proposal. Tarong Energy business development manager Andrew Burge told the ABC a decision on whether to go ahead with the project would be made at the end of the year. "There's a lot of different options to look at involving different generation configurations, different ways of using the gas but all of them involve modifications to the power station," he said. The gas pipeline, and a water pipeline, would be built underground. "We're not looking at major acquisitions of land, we're looking at an easement that we can access to put the pipeline in. Once the pipeline's buried then there are very few restrictions of what the landowner can do with the land," he said. Workers killed in US power plant explosion

BIEDO's Latest Newsletter February 5, 2010 - The Burnett Inland Economic Development Organisation (BIEDO) has release its latest email newsletter. Information includes details of upcoming grant funding round deadlines, details about BIEDO's Business Centre which is available for hire in Goomeri and upcoming events and grant writing assistance. You can download a copy here (1.18 Mb PDF)

Local Youths Join Ergon Team February 4, 2010 - Three candidates from the South Burnett have been successful in gaining hotly contested 2010 apprenticeships and technical traineeships at Ergon Energy. Dylan Flood (Kingaroy) and Jarrad Jeffrey (Proston), (right), are distribution power line apprentices, while Mitchell Potter, (below left), is a trainee in Kingaroy. The trio was among 71 apprentices and 13 technical trainees who attended induction ceremonies for the 2010 intake in Townsville, Rockhampton and Brisbane. Ergon General Manager Operations Paul Jordon said the successful apprentices had been chosen from a field of almost 2000 applicants. "They represent the best quality applicants from a large and highly impressive pool of potential employees. They have made a great career choice and we welcome them to Ergon Energy," he said. "In the past five years, Ergon Energy has recruited 393 new apprentices."

Community Assistance Grants Open February 3, 2010 - The South Burnett Regional Council has encouraged not-for-profit organisations based in the South Burnett to apply for funding under Council's Community Assistance Grants scheme. Mayor David Carter said the program was designed to provide a helping hand for regional organisations and projects. "This funding program has been specifically designed for those hard-working, non-profit groups who manage our community events, facilities and activities," he said. "Council recognises that it can sometimes be difficult for these organisations to find the money to carry out improvements or grow their event, and that's where these grants can help." The program also offers financial assistance to elite performers at State and national level. The three strands of funding available include: Major Events and Projects - Funding of up to $10,000 per organisation in support of major cultural and/or community events or projects. Minor Events and Projects - Funding of up to $4000 per organisation in support of cultural and community events or projects. Elite Performance Grant - Funding in support of elite performers in the areas of sport, music, art and education. The amount of funds available in this round, which opened on February 1, is $45,000.

Women - It's Time To Be Pampered February 2, 2010 - Centacare South Burnett has secured funding to run more of their "Women's Wellness Pamper Days" across the region ... and the first one is today at the Proston Hall! But don't worry if you miss out on this opportunity ... there are plenty of more opportunities to de-stress. Future Pamper Days will be held at: Cloyna Hall - Tuesday, March 9 Coalstoun Lakes Hall- Wednesday March 17 Tansey Hall - Tuesday March 23 Durong Hall - Tuesday March 30 Yarraman Hall - Tuesday April 13 Monogorilby Hall - Wednesday April 14 Wooroolin Hall - Tuesday May 11 Booubyjan Hall - Tuesday May 25 Manumbar Hall - Wednesday May 26 Ironpot Hall - Tuesday June 1 Inverlaw Hall - Wednesday June 2 The events are also supported by BIEDO and are funded by the Federal Government. For more information, contact Karen Seiler on 1800-282-775.

Two Well-Known Cafes For Sale February 1, 2010 - Kilkivan's iconic The Left Bank cafe, gallery and B&B and Kingaroy cafe Utopia are two more well-known South Burnett businesses currently looking for buyers. Bruce and Rae Hurley have operated The Left Bank for more than 10 years and have been extremely active in local tourism circles. They are now looking for new challenges. Kingaroy's Utopia Cafe has adopted an unusual incentive for trying to attract buyers. Owner Beryl Rankin is offering $2500, paid on settlement of the sale, to anyone who introduces a successful purchaser of the business.

D'Aguilar Strikes Gold Near Goomeri January 29, 2010: D'Aguilar Gold has announced that is has identified what could be a large but low-grade copper / gold deposit south-east of Goomeri. Assay results showed "strongly anomalous copper gold mineralisation" to the end of a test bore hole on what is known as the Peenam Prospect. D'Aguilar said the site was on the southern edge of a feature which had been identified by airborne magnetic imagery. This suggested the test hole had been drilled on the edge of a large porphyry copper gold system. Most of the porphyry system is underground but it is exposed in some low areas, including stream beds. Rock chips taken from an exposed creek bank assayed 3.05 g/t of gold. D'Aguilar has formed a new subsidiary company, Barlyne Mining Pty Ltd, to specifically focus on the identification and development of porphyry copper gold systems in Queensland. It is transferring its Peenam and Gayndah exploration permits to Barlyne and the subsidiary has also applied for a larger exploration tenement surrounding the Peenam permit area. * * * Trading in Cougar Energy shares was halted yesterday to allow the company to prepare a response to an ASX query over a sudden rise in its share price. At the close of trading on Wednesday, Cougar shares had risen 7.53% over the price on Monday; the volume of shares traded also increased from 2.3 million to more than 18.4 million. Cougar Energy's response to the ASX query