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Hylan Seeds now HSR March 5, 2008 - Well-known local rural company Hylan Seeds recently blossomed into HSR Seeds. HSR Seeds are located at 29 Mackenzie Street, Wondai, and can be contacted on (07) 4169-0011 or by email. HSR Seeds breed and market hybrid grain sorghum and forage sorghum, maize, sunflowers and sweet corn.

KCCI Mayoral Forum On Tonight! March 4, 2008 - The Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry will be hosting a forum tonight to allow the public to meet and hear from the five candidates standing for the position of mayor at the South Burnett Regional Council. The forum will be held in the Kingaroy Town Hall Reception Room from 7pm. Entry is free, tea / coffee will be available and everyone is invited! The chairman for the evening will be KCCI Executive member Bill Jackson. Each of the five candidates will be given two minutes to answer each of the following questions: What is your vision of where the South Burnett will be in five years time? What do you envisage being the main problems standing in the way of achieving this? What are you strengths – and what are your weaknesses? How do you plan to break down the barriers of parochialism? The current shires have different rating systems. How do you propose to spread the financial costs of the new South Burnett Regional Council fairly? Council candidates for Divisions 3, 4 & 6 will also be given the option to speak.

Opportunity to Sell Tourism Message In Brisbane February 28, 2008 - The South Burnett Tourism Association will be taking a stall at the upcoming Sunday Mail Brisbane Escape Holiday and Snow Expo on March 29-30. Narelle Colquhoun, from the SBTA, said more than 10,000 visitors were expected to visit the show over the two days and this would be a great opportunity for South Burnett tourism operators to meet face-to-face with potential customers. Brochure placement costs $50; to attend the show and sell directly will cost $150. For more information, contact Narelle on 0417-566-460.

Voting is Compulsory, Booths are Confusing February 27, 2008 - Voting is compulsory at the March 15 local government elections so it is important that you turn up at the correct polling booth for your Division! There will be polling booths in each Division of the new South Burnett Regional Council however not all Division electors will be able to vote at all booths. For example, at the Kingaroy Town Hall booth, only residents from Division 1, Division 3, Division 4 and Division 6 will be able to cast a vote. Download the official list of Polling Booths (92kb PDF) from the Queensland Electoral Commission so you will know where to go.

Where Will We Be in 2020? February 26, 2008 - Feel like no one listens to your ideas? This may be your chance to have your say on the issues that affect the future of Australia. The Australia 2020 Summit will be held at Parliament House on 19-20 April to help shape a long term strategy for the nation's future. To do this, 1000 leading Australians will debate and develop long-term options for the nation across 10 critical areas: Future directions for the Australian economy – including education, skills, training, science and innovation as part of the nation's productivity agenda Economic infrastructure, the digital economy and the future of our cities Population, sustainability, climate change and water Future directions for rural industries and rural communities A long-term national health strategy – including the challenges of preventative health, workforce planning and the ageing population Strengthening communities, supporting families and social inclusion Options for the future of indigenous Australia Towards a creative Australia: the future of the arts, film and design The future of Australian governance: renewed democracy, a more open government (including the role of the media), the structure of the Federation and the rights and responsibilities of citizens Australia's future security and prosperity in a rapidly changing region and world. Individuals, schools, groups, and organisations have been invited to make submissions to the summit. These will be published on the Australia 2020 website. For more information on how to make a submission, click here or download a submission form (66kb PDF)

Rain Improves Chances of Meatworks Re-Opening February 25, 2008 - Negotiations for the sale of the Murgon meatworks are "progressing" with hopes of a sale within two months, ABC radio reported today. John Gregg from receivers Deloitte Australia said negotiations were being undertaken with "multiple companies" and the likelihood of a sale had been improved with the recent inflows into Bjelke-Petersen Dam. The ABC reported that South Burnett Beef was in almost $17 million debt when it went into receivership in May last year.

Collapse of Local Paulownia Industry? February 22, 2008 - A cloud lies over the future of several plantations of paulownia in the South Burnett following the collapse of forest management company Queensland Paulownia Pty Ltd. The company, linked to plantations at Kumbia and Wooroolin, has had a receiver appointed and the associated Queensland Paulownia Forest Projects Nos 2-8 have been wound up. A meeting of creditors was held on February 12. Paulownia is an Asian tree which was lauded with big claims when first planted at Wooroolin in 1996. However experience elsewhere in Australia indicated that achieving logs of millable size was problematic and local markets were difficult to establish. Queensland Paulownia Pty Ltd dubbed the timber "The Money Tree, Growing Money ... Greening Australia" and published projected returns of $44,026 every year for investors in its December 2000 newsletter.

Wondai History Records End of An Era February 21, 2008 - Author and historian Tony Matthews, who wrote the respected history of the South Burnett, Landscapes of Change, will be launching his two-volume History of the Wondai Shire next month, just days before the Shire is absorbed into the new South Burnett Regional Council area. The new history is the result of months of research. It will be unveiled at a cocktail party at Wondai Town Hall on Thursday March 13 from 5:30pm. The author will be present to sign copies. South Burnett residents interested in attending the launch should contact Wondai Shire Council on (07) 4169-2555 as soon as possible for catering reasons.

Gloves Off For March 15 Election Poll SCOOP! February 19, 2008: The deadline for nominations for the new South Burnett Regional Council election on March 15 closed today. The following 26 candidates have tossed their hats into the ring to contest the seven spots on offer: Candidates for Mayor: Carter, Ian David - manager Coleman, Robert Charles - retired teacher Hilliard, George Robert - retired Horton, James Robert - farmer Kratzmann, Darryl Wayne - publican Division 1: (Nanango North) Green, Barry - transport operator Kerr, Lionel - farmer Tucker, Edward (Ted) - councillor Webb, Bruce - grazier Yeates, Glen - farmer Division 2: (Nanango South / Blackbutt / Maidenwell) Gregor, Ros - grazier Palmer, Debra - business Tillyer, Brian - retired Division 3: (Kingaroy South) Fleischfresser, Terry - self-employed painting contractor Lehmann, Maxwell - retired Tessman, Damien - labourer Division 4: (Kingaroy North) Campbell, Keith - consultant (as there were no other candidates in this Division, Keith Campbell will be elected unopposed) Division 5: (Murgon) Angel, Peter - farmer Coombes, Peter - farmer Duff, Kathryn - grazier Guse, Col - retired farmer Division 6: (Wondai / Proston) Dalton, Cheryl - councillor Mitchell, Robert (Bob) - mail contractor Bradley, Arthur Polzin, Kevin - primary producer Bird, Maureen Patricia (Trish)

Relate Opens in Kingaroy February 19, 2008 - Relate Human Services is in the process of setting up a new office in Kingaroy, at 72 Youngman Street. The private support care group offers services for youth aged 0-18 as well as adult care for people who require in-home support. Child safety support is also offered as well as counselling and occupational therapy. Relate Human Services can be contacted on (07) 4163-6946 or by email

Bumper Year For Local Tourism Website February 18, 2008 - The South Burnett Tourism website has enjoyed another bumper year of traffic. From February 2007 through to January 2008 the site received 53,820 visitors and the website's database processed 85,930 queries for anything from accommodation to tourist attractions. South Burnett Online CEO Dafyd Martindale said he was pleased with these figures even though they were down slightly on the preceding 12 months. "Considering the drought and the closure of several regional wineries, interest in the South Burnett as a tourism region still seems strong," he said.

Push for South Burnett PCYC February 15, 2008 - A Community Information Night will be held in Murgon next week to gauge local and regional support for the establishment of the first PCYC in the South Burnett. The proposal is for the Murgon Pulse Sports Complex to be managed by the Queensland Police-Citizens Youth Welfare Association. PCYCs are self-funded through their activities and government grants. The South Burnett PCYC would offer sports and recreation activities for the whole family, including seniors. The public meeting, organised by Murgon Shire Council and the Queensland Police Service, will be held at The Pulse, Macalister Street, on Tuesday, February 19 from 7:00pm. Download the survey form (154kb PDF) and bring it along! For more information, phone Clint on (07) 4168-1889.

March Deadline For Cultural Grants February 14, 2008 - $20,000 funding has been made available under the State Government's Strengthening Rural Communities Strategy for arts and cultural activities in rural areas, but you'll have to act quickly as the next round closes on March 3. Suggested projects for funding include: Cultural planning Community cultural development projects such as skills development workshops or artists-in-residence programs Creative streetscaping Public art Festival and event management For more information contact the Office of Rural & Regional Communities by email

Sorry Day February 13, 2008: Today we honour the Indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest continuing cultures in human history. We reflect on their past mistreatment. We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were Stolen Generations – this blemished chapter in our nation's history. The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia's history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future. We apologise for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians. We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country. For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry. - Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister

Rodeo Action in Kingaroy February 12, 2008 - A new listing on SBBiz this week is Frames Rodeo Australia, from Kingaroy. Campbell Frame can organise rodeo entertainment for sporting clubs or businesses all over Queensland and says this can also be a great way for groups to do fund-raising He can be contacted on (07) 4162-5558 or by email. Campbell also has a great video up on You Tube (press play button):

Stellar Effort From Narelle February 11, 2008 - Former South Burnett Tourism Project Manager Narelle Colquhoun, (right), has set up her own business, Stellar Event Management. Narelle's contract to assist the South Burnett tourism industry finished earlier this year but she has decided to stay on in the region. Her new business specialises in the co-ordination and management of community events, corporate functions and weddings. Narelle can be contacted on (07) 4162-5250 or by email

New Businesses On SBBiz February 8, 2008 - Over the holiday period a number of new businesses either opened or were added to SBBiz for the first time: Gone Bonkers discount store at 48 Mackenzie Street, Wondai, which is being run by Sean and Liz Nickolson who can be contacted on (07) 4169-5776 or by email Giftware and handbag retailer Expressions of Lime opened at Shop 7, 138 Haly Street, Kingaroy. Owner Christi-Anne Bowman opened the business in the old Peter Francis Jewellers store. Expressions of Lime can be contacted on (07) 4162-8300. At Kilkivan, the old Mick Sweeney Meats at 25 Bligh Street has become Kilkivan Meats with new owners Ray and Jane Gunn. Contact details remain the same. In Yarraman, Talk Realty - yes, another real estate agent for the South Burnett! - has opened at Unit 1, 16 Toomey Street. Narelle Walsh is the main contact on (07) 4163-8266. Web business Super Synergy, run by Justin Coogan, has set up in Kilkivan. Justin can be contacted on 0427-812-411 or by email

Forum Seeking Comments On Housing Issues February 7, 2008 - The Wide Bay Burnett Ministerial Regional Community Forum is seeking public input on the topic "Getting the Housing Mix Right For Our Future". Forum members are seeking suggestions about ways to ensure the region has an appropriate mix and access to housing which matches local needs. Community feedback will form the basis of a proposal that will be presented to the State Government at the next Ministerial Regional Community Forum which will be held on Monday April 7 at a venue to be announced. Written comments should be submitted by Friday, February 22, 2008 to PO Box 1939, Bundaberg, 4670. A discussion paper is available from Helen Hughes at the Department of Communities on (07) 4151-9748 or by email

Tourism Annual Report Released February 6, 2008 - The 2006-07 Annual Report of the Fraser Coast South Burnett Regional Tourism Board was released over the holiday break with some interesting statistics: Total domestic publicity value gained by FCSBRTB and Tourism Queensland for the South Burnett for July 2006 to June 2007 was valued at $5,541,018, estimated by the advertising value equivalent During the 2006/2007 period the Southburnettholidays.info website received 14,276 unique visits resulting in over 78,990 page views, with more than 1100 visitors visiting member websites. Download the Annual Report (1.4MB)

Farewell To Rio Tinto ... and Welcome Thiess! February 5, 2008 - The formal handover of the Meandu coal mine near Nanango to Tarong Energy took place on site last Friday. The ceremony also marked the formal departure of Rio Tinto Coal Australia from the region and the introduction of Thiess Pty Ltd who will operate the mine on behalf of Tarong Energy. Qld Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said the decision by Tarong Energy to purchase the Meandu and Kunioon coal reserves would provide a long-term fuel source for its two power stations at Tarong. “It's a real shot in the arm for the people of the South Burnett who have been severely affected by the drought,” he said. Tarong Energy Chairman Graham Carpenter said the Meandu mine would be able to maintain coal supplies to the power stations until the Kunioon mine was operational around 2012. ABOVE: Tarong Energy CEO Helen Gluer, QNP Thiess General Manager Michael Rosengren, Thiess Mining Executive Manager Simone Wetzlar and Tarong Energy Chairman Graham Carpenter