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Ministerial Forum To Meet In Wondai September 3, 2007 - The Wide Bay Burnett Ministerial Regional Community Forum will be held in Wondai on September 24. The forum, which follows community consultations earlier this year on ways to market the Wide Bay Burnett region, will be held at the Wondai Memorial Hall from 9:30am to 1pm. Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts and Member for Mt Ommaney Julie Atwood are scheduled to attend. There is no formal opportunity at the Forum for public input however the public can raise relevant points with Forum members during breaks.

Eateries To Feature On New Wine Map August 31, 2007 - The South Burnett Local Government Association and South Burnett Wine Industry Association are inviting local wineries, cellar doors and eateries to advertise in the new South Burnett Food and Wine Trail Map which is currently being prepared. The new map will now also include eateries, especially those that utilise and promote South Burnett produce. For more information, download the attached the flyer (80kb PDF) or contact Tourism Project Manager Narelle Colquhoun on (07) 4162-6271. The booking deadline is September 7.

Kunioon Decision Inches Closer August 30, 2007 - A decision on the future of the proposed Kunioon coal mine project has moved a step closer with the closure of the comment period earlier this week for the Draft Terms of Reference (190kb PDF) for the project. The Queensland Government's Environmental Protection Agency called for submissions on the draft TOR which closed on August 27. Final Terms of Reference will now be drafted and then the EPA will call for public submissions on a draft Environmental Impact Statement. If it goes ahead, the Kunioon mine near Kingaroy will produce up to 7.5 million tonnes of coal per year with a planned mine life of 25 years. A coal handling and preparation plant and a tailings treatment plant would also be built as well as 15km conveyor to carry the coal to Tarong and Tarong North Power stations.

Swickers Wins Food Safety Award August 29, 2007 - Swickers Kingaroy Bacon Factory has taken out an Outstanding Company award at the 2007 HACCP Awards announced at the 14th annual Australian HACCP Conference held on the Gold Coast earlier this month. The judges noted that there is a strong commitment to food safety and quality requirements by all Swickers' staff and the company has invested huge resources into training to ensure quality standards are maintained. The Australian HACCP Conference is the largest annual discussion forum for industry professionals involved in food safety.

KCCI Launches 2007 Business Awards August 28, 2007 - The 2007 Kingaroy Heritage Business Excellence Awards were officially launched by the Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry last night at a function at the Heritage Building Society branch in Shoppingworld. This is your chance to reward outstanding Kingaroy businesses and employees for their hard work during 2006-07. Closing date for nominations is October 5. There are five $50 Heritage accounts to be won for just nominating your favourite business! There are also some new categories this year. Download the nomination form (227kb PDF) for more details and then mail it to the KCCI at PO Box 930, Kingaroy, 4610 or fax to (07) 4162-8431.

Nominate Your Community For An Achievement Award August 27, 2007 - Here's your chance to stand up and be counted ... on what regional events, businesses, communities and services deserve to be recognised across Queensland. Nominations for the 2007 Regional Achievement and Community Awards for Queensland close on September 28. There are awards in five categories: Business Enterprise Events and Tourism Regional Service Environment and Landcare Community of the Year Nominations can be made via the internet or on forms available at any Commonwealth Bank branch.

Barambah Wines Go With Kingaroy Cheese August 24, 2007 - There will still be wines available for tourists to sample and buy at the Old Butter Factory in William Street, Kingaroy, even after Stuart Range wines disappear from sale. From September 1, Kingaroy Cheese - which formerly was sold through the Stuart Range Cellar Door - will take full control of the shop. It has formed a partnership with Barambah Wines from Moffatdale to sell their wines through the outlet. "Liquor licensing requirements permitting, a satellite cellar door showcasing Barambah Wines will open very soon," Chris Ganzer, from Kingaroy Cheese, said yesterday. "Steve and Jane Wilson (from Barambah Wines) have invested heavily in the South Burnett and continue this commitment by supporting a satellite cellar door." PS. In more tourism news, The Artist's Cottage in Kingaroy will be featured on Queensland Weekender on Channel 7 tomorrow night at 5.30pm. Congratulations to Karla and Garry Eyre!

Relay For Life On This Weekend! August 23, 2007 - The South Burnett Relay For Life community fund-raising event - which was such a huge success last year! - is on again this weekend but at a new venue from last year ... the Kingaroy Showgrounds. The event will start at 3pm on Saturday and conclude at 9am on Sunday. Teams of between 10 and 15 people will each aim to raise $1000 to aid in the fight against cancer. Last year in Kingaroy 44 teams raised an amazing $71,000 for cancer research and patient services! For more information about this year's event, visit the Relay For Life website or phone Storme Vunderink on 0411-339-772.

Wondai Takes Up Federal Offer On Merger Poll August 22, 2007 - Wondai Shire Council has decided to take up a Federal Government offer so a poll of residents on its forced amalgamation with Nanango, Kingaroy and Murgon councils can finally go ahead. Wondai Council will write to the Federal Government and ask that its ratepayers participate in a vote which would be held on the same day as the Federal Election. Wondai was forced to axe its original poll of ratepayers - which was to be held last weekend - in the wake of new State legislation which banned councils from seeking the opinions of ratepayers on the merger issue. Ironically, the State Government introduced an amendment today to annul its original amendment which gave it the power to sack councillors who held a poll.

Nanango Calls Public Meeting on Merger August 21, 2007 - Nanango Shire Council will hold a public meeting this Friday night to allow shire residents to express concerns about the impact of local government amalgamations. Nanango Shire will be combined with Murgon, Wondai and Kingaroy shires into one super South Burnett Regional Council under the forced amalgamations announced by the State Government late last month. The Nanango meeting will be held at the Cultural Centre in George Street from 5:00pm.

WorldSkills On Show In Kingaroy August 20, 2007 - A regional round of the WorldSkills competition will be held at the Kingaroy TAFE college this week. This is a unique opportunity for local apprentices, trainees and vocational training students to demonstrate their skills - and it's the first time that a regional round has been held in Kingaroy. WorldSkills competitions are held in 29 regions throughout Australia. Winners can go on to compete at national and international levels. To help mark WorldSkills in Kingaroy, the Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce will be holding its monthly Meet'n'Greet from 5:30pm tonight at the TAFE College, on the corner of the Bunya Highway and Geritz Road. For more information, contact the KCCI on (07) 4162-8466.

Wondai Council Axes Poll August 17, 2007 - The referendum that was to be held in Wondai Shire tomorrow to allow ratepayers to voice their opinions on the merger of the shire with Kingaroy, Nanango and Murgon has been cancelled. Council announced in the South Burnett Times this morning that "in accordance with Section 159ZY of the Local Government Reform Implementation Act 2007" (the legislation passed in State Parliament last week) the poll would not proceed. However Wondai Shire Council has not ruled out taking up Prime Minister John Howard's offer (see story below) to hold another vote at a later date. Download Local Government Reform Implementation Act 2007 (723kb)

PM Intervenes To Ensure Merger Polls Can Take Place August 16, 2007 - The Federal Government will legislate to overturn the State ban on councils holding referendums on forced amalgamations. Prime Minister John Howard said today federal Coalition MPs had approved a draft law which would mean any State law which "penalises, discriminates against or interferes with local councils or other people being involved in plebiscites" would be invalid. The Federal Government was not expressing a view as to whether any individual council mergers should occur but was simply allowing plebiscites to be held. "We will reimburse the local councils the cost of the conduct of the ballots so they will not be at any expense," Mr Howard said. "But whether councils have them is a matter for them, the outcome's a matter for the people." UPDATE: Premier Peter Beattie labels PM's move a stunt and threatens High Court challenge. Read his press release (12kb PDF)

Six Steps To A Better Business August 15, 2007 - Toowoomba business coach Kirsten Gadsby will be holding a free one-hour workshop in Kingaroy next week to explain how you can "build a business that works without you!" The workshop will be held at the Kingaroy RSL Club from 10.30am on Thursday August 23. Registrations from 10am. Email Kirsten to reserve a seat. Kirsten, whose methods were explained at a recent KCCI Women In Business lunch, says business owners and their families can find balance, build healthier relationships and more efficient businesses if they follow certain steps.

Cafe Opens In Rogers Drive August 14, 2007 - Rosamund Innes, well-known for her Rhapsody catering service at the South Burnett Enterprise Centre, is managing a new venture: the Mitre Ate Cafe at the Turner's Mitre 10 Home and Trade store in Rogers Drive, Kingaroy. The cafe is open 7am-5pm Monday to Friday and from 8am-4pm on Saturdays and 8:30am-3pm on Sundays. It offers breakfasts as well as gourmet meals and salads, coffees, desserts, cakes, cheese platters and much, much more. There are also a hot box and cold drinks. The grand opening will now be held on September 1. Mitre Ate will also be available to host Christmas parties with seating available for up to 80. Rosamund can be contacted by email

Have Your Say On Council Amalgamations August 13, 2007 - The State Government has forbidden local councils (see story below) to poll electors on forced council amalgamations but there are still ways you can have your say: Courier-Mail online poll South Burnett Online Durong Online Jondaryan Shire Council merger survey National Party's E Petition

Forced Council Amalgamations Become Law August 10, 2007 - The controversial Local Government Reform Implementation Bill - which cuts Queensland's 156 local councils to just 72 - was passed at 4.05am today in State Parliament after a 14-hour session which ended when the ALP used its numbers to gag debate. Earlier yesterday, the State Government announced the amended legislation would also ensure councils would not be able "to request, arrange or cause a poll to be conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission or any other entity" to stop any public vote on amalgamations taking place. "Staging a referendum will be an explicit trigger for immediate dismissal of individual councils," Local Government Minister Andrew Fraser said. "If a council has already started a poll they must take all necessary steps to ensure that the poll does not go ahead and they must inform ratepayers that it will not go ahead." The State Government has also threatened to fine individual councillors if ratepayers are polled on the forced amalgamations. Download map (1.2MB PDF) of new boundaries.

Historic Homestead On The Market August 9, 2007 - The historic Boonara Homestead, near Goomeri, is temporarily closed and is on the market. The homestead, located at 7191 Burnett Highway, was built in 1862 by E.B. Hawkins who selected the land in 1846. The original station covered approximately 73,800ha. After Hawkins drowned during the California gold rush, Boonara was sold to David Jones (of department store fame) and remained in this family until 1967 when it was purchased by Cecil Euler who sold it to current owners Ted and Sandra Nesbitt who re-opened it as a B&B and cellar door in 2005.

2007 PCA Peanut Festival Program Now On Line August 8, 2007 - The program for the all-new PCA Kingaroy Peanut Festival - which will be held at the Kingaroy Showgrounds on Saturday September 8 - is now available on line. The festival features the inaugural Queensland Strong Man Games. Entry forms and details for teams are also available to download. On Sunday September 8, the fun will continue at Kingaroy Airport with a fly-in and other events. For more information, contact the Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry on (07) 4162-8466.

Opportunities for Community Groups August 7, 2007 - The call has gone out for community groups to assist during the Cycle Queensland Miles to Mooloolaba stopover in Kingaroy. Up to 1000 people are expected to arrive on Tuesday, September 4, including riders, volunteer support crew and organisers. They will spend a free day in the region and then leave early on September 6. Professional caterers will provide three meals each day but local groups are needed to run a food outlet on Tuesday and assist with the two evening meals. For more information, phone Event Director John Franklin on (07) 3844-1144 or download the attached information (91kb PDF).