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DERM To Post Water Test Results Online July 22, 2010 - The Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) has created an area on its website specifically dedicated to Cougar Energy's trial Underground Coal Gasification project near Kingaroy. A DERM spokesman told SBBiz last night that future results of water tests would be posted on this website when they become available. DERM has also released a new information sheet about Cougar's trial project and the recent water contamination scare. Download the information sheet DERM website Residents who have concerns about the water supply can also call Cougar Energy toll-free on 1800-259-010.

Angry Residents Call For Cougar Trial To Be Shut Down July 21, 2010 - A motion that the Cougar Energy underground coal gasification trial be permanently shut down was passed unanimously at last night's town meeting in Kingaroy. Members of the Kingaroy Concerned Citizens Group said a permanent ban on the Cougar "experiment" was the only way the State Government would be able to demonstrate to the people of Queensland that it had strong environmental credentials. About 150 local residents attended the sometimes fiery gathering at Kingaroy Town Hall. Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Minister Stephen Robertson and Department of Environment and Resource Management Director-General John Bradley fielded questions at the meeting, which was also attended by South Burnett Mayor David Carter, local councillors, State Member for Nanango Dorothy Pratt and representatives from Cougar Energy. Coolabunia farmer Damien O'Sullivan told SBBiz that local residents had made the Minister and his Director-General "well aware" of their "concern and disgust" at the Cougar project. Mr Robertson told the meeting an investigation into the water contamination was underway and assured residents if the Cougar project was unsafe, it would be halted. Cattle sales banned because of water scare

Cougar Crisis Meeting This Afternoon July 20, 2010 - South Burnett Mayor David Carter, Member for Nanango Dorothy Pratt and local landholders will meet with Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Minister Stephen Robertson at 4:30pm this afternoon to discuss the Cougar Energy water contamination scare. The meeting, to be held at the Council Chambers in Kingaroy, will also include John Bradley, Director-General of the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM). The Kingaroy Concerned Citizens Group is urging all affected residents to attend this meeting to "make the South Burnett's feelings regarding this project" known. The group believes a permanent ban on Cougar's Underground Coal Gasification project is the "only acceptable solution". A brief history of Cougar Energy's Kingaroy project (57kb PDF) Premier Anna Bligh threatens "stiff fines" Cougar applies for voluntary suspension of trading of shares on the Australian Stock Exchange as Directors assess the implications of the Environmental Protection Order which has been placed on its Kingaroy project. It will make a further announcement to the ASX by August 3. Download media release

Water Test Was 84 Times Over Limit July 19, 2010 - A leaked briefing paper from the Department of Environment and Resource Management shows Cougar Energy told DERM on July 13 that benzene levels had been detected in a bore at its Underground Coal Gasification project site near Kingaroy at 84ppb - 84 times the recommended limit. The Australian Drinking Water Guideline value for benzene is 0.001mg/L or 1ug/L which is equivalent to 1ppb. DERM claims Cougar's laboratory finalised these results on July 8 but it took the company five days to notify the department. Download the full Briefing Paper (35kb PDF) Benzene "very common in environment" - Qld Health (MP3)

Get BSA Compliant NOW or Risk a Fine! July 16, 2010 - Some South Burnett fencing contractors have already been fined and if recent public notices in newspapers are a guide, the Building Services Authority is about to pounce on other local tradespeople, too. The BSA has begun to strongly enforce legislation passed on December 21, 2007 which makes it an offence for a person who does not hold a BSA contractor's licence to advertise to carry out any building work in Queensland unless their advertisement states the value of the work they are entitled to carry out without a licence. Advertising by unlicensed contractors must include a "value statement" such as "cannot perform building work valued in excess of $3300" or "cannot install signs over 3m in height or valued in excess of $5000". Unlicensed hydraulic services designers must state "cannot perform building work value in excess of $1100". Unlicensed fencers (pastoral and agricultural fencing) must state "cannot perform building work valued in excess of $27,500". As well, the BSA is cracking down on licensed building contractors who are required by law to state their name and licence number in all advertising (this includes the Yellow Pages, signwriting on the side of vehicles and all media). A BSA licence is required for the following work, regardless of the value: Plumbing & Drainage Gas Fitting Hot Water Systems (although a licensed electrician can install a hot water system without a BSA licence) Fire Protection Hydraulic Services Design (work up to $1100 can be done without a licence) Pest Control (chemical) Completed Residential Building Inspection Building Design - Low Rise, Medium Rise and Open Site Classification The following job descriptions either require a BSA Licence or a "value statement" by unlicensed contractors: Air-Conditioning Installation, Awnings & Canvas, Bathrooms, Bricklaying, Builders, Building Inspections / Services, Cabinetmakers, Carpenters, Carports, Concrete & Driveways, Fencing, Floors & Sanding, Garages / Garage Doors, Gates, Glass & Glazing, Guttering, Handyman, Heating, Home Improvements, Irrigation & Pumps, Kitchens, Landscaping (retaining walls, paths, paving, pergolas), Leadlighting, Metal Fabrication, Painting (but not wallpaper), Patios, Decks & Pergolas, Paving, Plaster, Property Maintenance (unless limited to lawns & gardens), Renovators, Restumping, Roofs & Roof Restoration, Screens, Doors & Grills, Sewage & Waste Water Treatment, Shade Sails, Signage, Skylights & Ventilators, Stair Replacement, Stonemasons / Stonework, Swimming Pools & Spas, Tiling, Wardrobes (built-in), Water Tanks & Bores, Windows & Doors A licensed contractor who places a non-compliant advertisement will receive a warning for a first offence and a fine for any subsequent offence. An unlicensed contractor will receive a $1000 fine for a first offence. Subsequent offences will be prosecuted in court where a maximum fine of $10,000 per offence will be sought. SBBiz is endeavouring to contact all local tradespeople whom we believe may be affected by this crackdown to ensure their listing is recorded accurately. But please DO NOT wait to hear from us ... contact us immediately on (07) 4163-6854 or 0419-739-689 if you believe there may be a problem. And don't forget to warn your mates, too! Ironically - and despite recent tragic events - insulation is NOT considered building work so it not covered by this legislation.

Well-Known Kingaroy Business To Close July 15, 2010 - Kingaroy's only specialist CD shop, Volume II, in Shoppingworld will close on Friday. Volume II was started by popular Kingaroy businesspeople Brenda and Denver Tuite. It's name reflected the fact that the Tuites' main store at that time was located in Kingaroy Street. In August 2007, the Tuites sold the Volume II business to Kath Madder. The closure was probably inevitable following the growth in both legal and illegal downloads of music from the Internet. According to a recent report in the Sydney Morning Herald, illegal downloads by Australians soared 33.6 per cent to 1,049,000 last year. Legal downloads from sites such as Bigpond Music are also increasing in popularity. Ironically, when SBBiz contacted Volume II today to get a comment, staff were too busy to talk ... it seems their clearance sale is attracting a lot of last-minute customers!

Cougar Gets Ready To Re-ignite Coal Seam July 14, 2010 - Cougar Energy has told the Australian Stock Exchange gas production at its Underground Coal Gasification test plant near Kingaroy has been scheduled to restart in the last week of this month. In a statement released today, Cougar said the installation of two new production wells (dubbed P5 and P6) was complete. This follows a hitch in April when blockages forced Cougar to shut down its P1 and P4 wells. Final site preparation work has commenced, involving assembling and testing of pipework and electrical systems, air injection testing for the new wells, and preparation of the coal seam prior to ignition. Cougar also told the ASX that its recent share placement raised $1.23 million. These funds will be used to advance several projects, including the Kingaroy test project, a joint venture in Western Australia and preliminary funding of projects in China.

Wine Industry Urges South Burnett 'To Go It Alone' July 13, 2010 - South Burnett Wine Industry Association (SBWIA) members voted unanimously last night to support the formation of an independent South Burnett Tourism Association rather than support a proposed merger with Toowoomba. The vote follows SBTA discussions about a possible de-merger from Fraser Coast South Burnett Tourism to join the Toowoomba & The Golden West Tourism association. FCSBT and TGWT are currently seeking funding to investigate the implications of such a merger. SBTA president Neil Archer will meet with the TGWT Executive next Monday to discuss a merger and will report back to the next SBTA meeting on July 29. The SBWIA is a member of the SBTA and most SBWIA members are also individual members of the SBTA. The SBWIA will also push for the South Burnett Regional Council to withdraw its financial support (suggested to be $35,000 a year) from FCSBT and put it towards an independent South Burnett body to promote both wine and tourism. Last month Tourism Queensland announced that overall tourism numbers to the Fraser Coast-South Burnett had collapsed by 12% for the year ended March 2010. Interstate visitors were down 28%. Both FCSBT and TGWT are funded by Tourism Queensland. UPDATE July 21, 2010 - It was announced today that TGWT will receive $42,800 from the State Government to lead a project "to move administration of tourism in the South Burnett region to Toowoomba and the Golden West". TGWT will also receive $8955 to host a Southern Queensland tourism conference in partnership with Toowoomba Events, Brisbane Marketing, Fraser Coast and South Burnett Tourism, and Southern Downs and Granite Belt Regional Tourism.

$21,985 Boost For Local Sports Clubs July 12, 2010 - South Burnett sporting groups have received a welcome boost from the latest round of the State Government's Sport and Recreation Active Inclusion program. Groups to receive funding include: Bushrangers Rugby League Football Club to conduct coach training and volunteer governance training - $4800; Kingaroy Netball Association to conduct coaching foundation and development courses and umpire level 1 and 2 accreditation courses to support netball at Kingaroy - $2955; Kingaroy Senior Soccer Club to conduct a funding applications workshop - $5000; Kingaroy Swimming Club to provide a 10-week participation program for swimmers and conduct a coach training and mentoring program - $4880; and South Burnett Junior Rugby League Inc to conduct a "come and try" day to support rugby league in the South Burnett - $4350.

Cougar Mystery Solved UPDATE (July 9): After initially refusing this morning to release a photograph of gas burning at the Kingaroy UCG test plant, (see story below), Cougar Energy this afternoon released this date-stamped photograph which should help clear up any lingering doubts that a flare was lit back in March.

The Tale Of The Small Blue Flickering Flame July 9, 2010 - Cougar Energy General Manager (Corporate Finance and Investor Relations) Brad Glynne has rejected claims from a local resident that "no one has seen a blue flame" from the company's Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) test plant, (right), near Kingaroy. In an email to SBBiz today, the resident said the "small blue flickering flame" reported in April in The Australian was "misinformation". In a statement to the ASX in March, Cougar reported "the successful ignition of the Kunioon coal seam". At the time, Cougar stated the main flare was ignited at 11.37pm on March 15 (see SBBiz, March 16, 2010). SBBiz asked a company spokesman to provide photographs of this milestone event but none was made available. Mr Glynne told SBBiz today it would be a serious offence for Cougar to mislead the Australian Stock Exchange. He said photographs were taken of the flare but "it was not really appropriate" to release them "given that the gas production went for a short period of time and then we had to rectify a problem". This short period of time, he said, was 10 days. Asked to produce a photo to prove the flare had actually been lit in March and debunk the local claims, Mr Glynne replied "photos to us are not really critical" and re-ignition at the plant was imminent. He said Cougar Energy had kept its investors and the public informed at all times through its releases to the ASX.

Mosaic Burns Reduce Bushfire Destruction July 8, 2010 - "Mosaic burning" may sound like some sort of exotic art form ... and in a way, it is. It's the art of replicating natural bushfire patterns in a landscape to maximise biodiversity. A practical workshop on mosaic burning, organised by Landcare South East Burnett and supported by the Burnett Mary Regional Group and local rural fire brigades, will be held at Goomeri later this month to learn more about implementing patchwork burns for threat reduction while maintaining productive ecosystems. Guest speakers will be CSIRO Fire Ecologist and Entomologist Don Sands, Sean Ryan (from Private Forestry Southern Qld) and Bill Schulke (DEEDI). The workshop will be held at the Goomeri Golf Course, Goomeribong Road, Goomeri, from 9:00am to 4:00pm on Friday July 30. Cost is $25 per person which includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. For more information, and to RSVP, contact Penny Kennedy on (07) 4168-6179 or 0419-442-325.

Hutton To Address UCG Action Meeting July 7, 2010 - Well-known environmental campaigner Drew Hutton, (right), will be the guest speaker at the next meeting of the local residents action group Kingaroy Concerned Citizens Group Against Underground Coal Gasification. The meeting will be held on Tuesday July 13 from 7:00pm at the DEEDI (formerly DPI) Research Station meeting room opposite Kingaroy Airport. The meeting plans to discuss the move by Red River Resources / Black Gold Resources to investigate UCG coal near Kingaroy (see SBBiz story May 18), exploration by Cockatoo / Metallica Minerals in the region and the ongoing Cougar Energy project near Coolabunia. For more information about the meeting, contact Gary Tessmann on (07) 4162-1991 or Damien O'Sullivan on (07) 4162-5108.

Damage To High Voltage Cable Cuts Power Supply July 6, 2010 - The power loss which blacked out half the Kingaroy CBD area about noon yesterday was caused when an 11,000 volt underground cable supplying the Haly Street substation was accidentally damaged. An Ergon Energy spokesman said one of the company's borer-lifters, (similar to the vehicle pictured, right) was working adjacent to the substation when it struck the high-voltage cable, triggering automatic protection equipment which shut down the substation. The power interruption affected 3775 customers in the eastern and northern parts of Kingaroy. Ergon crews restored power via an alternative network and all customers had power back by 2:34pm. Specialist crews will rejoin the damaged high-voltage cable this week but Ergon does not expect there will be any further impact on power supply.

Calling All Singers! July 5, 2010 - South Burnett Arts Inc is partnering with the Brisbane Chamber Choir to create the South Burnett Singfest on July 24-25, a weekend dedicated to choral music in Kingaroy. The weekend includes once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunities for local singers. The program includes a workshop for local conductors, instruction on correct vocal warm-ups and techniques and addressing common singers' faults. Singers will also learn the secrets of sound production with vocal specialist Kathryn Morton. They will then combine to form the Singfest Choir which will work under the direction of internationally renowned choral conductor Graeme Morton, (above right), to perform for the public at a Showcase Concert from 2:30pm on Sunday July 25 at St John's Lutheran College Hall, Ivy Street, Kingaroy. For more information contact Jane Iszlaub by email

PCA Announces $20m Loss July 2, 2010 - The Peanut Company of Australia has recorded a loss of $20.01 million for the year to the end of March. PCA Managing Director and Chief Executive Craig Mills said a loss had been foreshadowed in the half-yearly results but the $20.01 million figure was greater than forecast. He said the poor result was due predominantly to the write-down of PCA's Northern Territory assets which the Company has earmarked for sale. Mr Mills said it was important to note that PCA's current assets exceeded liabilities by approximately $22.9 million. He assured shareholders, growers, employees and customers that the loss would not adversely affect the day-to-day operations or agreements held by PCA. Download the press release from PCA

Kevin Honoured With Top Lions Award July 1, 2010 - Kingaroy wine producer Kevin Temperton, from Bellbird Vineyards, was presented with the prestigious Melvin Jones Fellowship award at the Kingaroy Lions Club changeover dinner at Whipbird Chapel last Saturday. The award, named after Lions International founder Melvin Jones, is the highest form of recognition within the service movement. Fellows are selected by other club members and clubs must earn the right to nominate members for the award. Kevin, (pictured at right with Matt Connelly), has been a Lions Club member for many years and has also served on other local committees including the Wine and Food in the Park organising committee. Also at the dinner, Matt Connelly was officially installed as Club President for 2010-11.

Learn More About Native Forestry June 20, 2010 - Are you interested in growing native trees on your property? Then this is the workshop for you! Private Forestry Southern Queensland (PFSQ) is running a Native Forest Regrowth Management Field Day near Chahpingah, west of Kingaroy, from 9:00am on Thursday, July 29. Topics to be covered include working within the State Government's regrowth legislation, forest products, growth rates and harvest management. For more information and to register interest in the field day, contact PFSQ on (07) 5483-6535 or by email * * * Meet the new owners of Taste South Burnett. Read more on South Burnett Wine

Peanuts - The New Brain Food? June 29, 2010 - Can peanuts make you smarter? Or keep those brain cells ticking over for longer? Research to be conducted at the University of South Australia in conjunction with the Peanut Company of Australia may soon have the answer. The Australian Research Council has announced an $80,007 grant to researchers to "evaluate peanuts as a source of bioactive nutrients for enhancement of endothelial function and cognitive performance". The research team will be led by Dr Alison Coates who joined the University of South Australia in 2004 after completing a three-year postdoctoral fellowship in the United States. The funding is part of the ARC's Linkage Projects scheme which enables Australian universities to undertake innovative research in partnership with industry.

Wondai Gallery Opening This Friday June 28, 2010 - Artworks by Proston State School students will feature in the Kidz Korner display at the Wondai Regional Art Gallery in July. The main exhibition at the gallery will feature the Imbil Village Artists with a variety of works including pastels, watercolours and oils. Works by Marion Bennett will be in the Third Gallery. The July exhibitions will be officially launched on Friday night with a wine and food evening from 6pm. Cost is $5 with glasses and bottles of local wine available for purchase. The exhibitions will run at the gallery until July 31. The gallery is open 10:00am – 4:00pm daily. * * * Did you know SupaIGA's catalogue is now available on the internet? Instead of juggling your junk mail you can now read it here: Kingaroy Murgon