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Jade Wins Bronze Medal In National Competition May 12, 2010 - Congratulations to Jade Strack, from Nanango, who has won a Bronze medal in the Auto Electrical category at the WorldSkills Australia trade excellence competition held in Brisbane at the weekend. Jade, who is employed by Kingaroy Auto Electrics, underwent his training at the Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE. More than 500 competitors, all regional winners in their categories from across Australia, competed in 50 trade and skill categories in front of 250 judges. Competitors were judged against national and international benchmarks, training packages and employability competencies. Gold medallists will get the opportunity to compete at the 41st International WorldSkills Competition in London next year.

OriginOil Joins Algal Oil Project May 11, 2010 - OriginOil and MBD Energy Ltd have signed a Memorandum of Understanding which will further the development of a renewable oil project to be tested at Tarong Power Station. OriginOil will supply MBD Energy with its Quantum Fracturing™ and Single-Step Extraction™ systems which transform algae into a source of renewable oil. Tarong Energy has committed to building a test facility which will capture carbon dioxide emissions from the power station and use them to grow oil-rich algae in solar bioreactors (see SBBiz Nov 20, 2009). In the full production systems, OriginOil's technology will be integrated into the MBD system to enhance algae growth and then perform oil extraction. Two other Algal Synthesiser power station projects will also be developed: at Loy Yang A in Victoria and Eraring Energy, NSW. Read the Origin Oil press release UPDATE July 20, 2010: $5m grant from Federal Government

Workshop To Help Businesses Do It Better May 10, 2010 - The Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) will be holding a Managing For Profits workshop next month in Kingaroy. The workshop has been designed to give participants an awareness of the financial elements involved in running a successful business. Other topics to be covered include financial terminology, basic financial ratios and understanding financial statements. The workshop will be held on Wednesday, June 9 from 1:00pm-4:00pm at the Kingaroy RSL Club. Cost is $44 and registrations are essential. For more information and to book, phone DEEDI's Maryborough Business Assistance office on (07) 4121-1780.

Juli Targets Business Success May 7, 2010 - Former PCA Marketing Manager and Marketing Director at APN Australian Publishing (publishers of the South Burnett Times), Juli Robertson, (right), has launched her own business consultancy, JTB Consulting. The well-known former Kingaroy resident is offering "whole business" solutions on growth, advertising and marketing to a broad range of clients, including many in the South Burnett. Juli has also recently launched a new website, www.jtbconsulting.com.au and is an approved supplier of the Queensland Government's Jobs Assist program. Juli can be contacted on 0417-707-280 or by email

Singalong With Bronwyn Bishop May 6, 2010 - Federal MP Bronwyn Bishop will be joining the Blackbutt community at a seniors luncheon on May 19 to help raise runds for the Blackbutt-Benarkin Aged Care Centre project. As well as guest speaker Bronwyn - who is the Opposition spokesman for Seniors - there'll be entertainment from the Blackbutt Singers and a sing-along with Golden Oldies pianist Shirley Nelson. The fun starts at 11am and there will also be a lucky door prize and raffle. The charity fundraiser is being organised by the Yarraman branch of the Liberal National Party. For more information, contact Jim Bond on 0419-668-656.

Council Approves Multi-Million Dollar Murgon Development May 5, 2010 - In a split decision, the South Burnett Regional Council has granted preliminary approval to override the Planning Scheme and allow a multi-million dollar residential, industrial and motel project at Murgon. The application by the Murgon Property Group was first submitted to Murgon Council in 2007. After vigorous debate at the April 7, 2010 SBRC meeting, councillors voted to let the application lay on the table until the next meeting to allow time for council staff to draft conditions for approval. At the April 27 meeting, a motion that would have approved the motel component only was defeated 4-3; then a motion to defer a decision until the May meeting was also defeated 4-3. The final motion to approve the development, subject to conditions, was carried 4-3 with Crs David Carter, Kathy Duff, Barry Green and Damien Tessmann voting in favour. Approval for the residential component is now subject to the provision of information to council on the stability of the land, water and sewage requirements, footpaths and cycleways, drainage and an analysis of housing trends and demographic data for Murgon.

Learn More About Solar Energy May 4, 2010 - Air Solar Kingaroy is inviting South Burnett residents to find out more about solar power options in a free seminar to be held at the Kingaroy Town Hall next week. The seminar, which will include displays in the Town Hall forecourt, aims to explain how solar energy works, how "return-to-grid" systems operate and the benefits of heat pump technology. Up-to-date information on current government rebates will also be available. There will also be slide shows and a guest speaker, Paul Edwards, from the Green Energy Council. The seminar will run from 6-9pm on Wednesday, May 12.

Pulse Health Backs Federal Health Takeover April 30, 2010 - Pulse Health Limited, operator of the South Burnett Private Hospital in Kingaroy, is looking forward to the takeover of the public health system by the Federal Government. In a statement, Pulse said the new system, which will see public hospitals funded nationally but run locally, would create "significant outsourcing opportunities" for businesses like Pulse. Pulse CEO Dr Ian Kadish said the company also has plans under evaluation that if success would "significantly enhance our earnings in their first 12 months of operation". Pulse Health has lifted revenue by 30 per cent to $17.3 million in the six months to 30 December 2009. Earnings before interest, tax and depreciation rose $917,000 from $279,000 to $1.196 million. The Sydney-based private hospital provider also owns and operates the Westmead Private Rehabilitation Hospital in Sydney and Forster, Bega and Gympie Private Hospitals.

New Real Estate Guide Hits The Streets April 29, 2010 - A new real estate guide, South Burnett Homeview, (right), has been distributed around the South Burnett featuring full colour glossy advertisements for homes and business in the region. Publisher Sherry Leach also prepares a Southern Downs edition of the guide and both versions are also available online at www.treechangeqld.com Properties from Goomeri to Blackbutt have been advertised in this first edition, which is available at most local real estate agencies.

Learn More About Some Common Scams April 28, 2010 - The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has released an easy guide for small businesses to help them identify and avoid many common scams. The guide, which can be downloaded here, has details about common scams including overpayments, unauthorised advertising, expensive fax-back schemes and confusing domain name "renewal notices". The ACCC also operates the SCAMwatch website which can help small businesses - and everyone else too! - recognise and report scams.

Hitch Halts Gas Production at Coolabunia April 27, 2010 - Cougar Energy announced today that gas production at its Coolabunia test site will recommence in four to six weeks after a blockage temporarily forced it to halt production. "After the successful initial gas production phase, restrictions to air and product gas flows were observed, and the gasification process was temporarily discontinued to allow for well inspection," a press statement said. "This revealed blockage to the inner casing of both P1 and P4 (wells) caused by thermal expansion, and work is now under way to assess their potential for recovery and future use ... The installation of two new process wells, which were scheduled for later this year, will now be brought forward so that the gas production program for the next 12 months can be continued." Production of syngas began at Coolabunia on March 16 this year and Cougar says initial results indicated high quality gas had been produced, confirming the suitability of this coal deposit for underground coal gasification (UCG) technology. Listen to Cougar Managing Director Dr Len Walker explain the glitch on Boardroom Radio. Dr Walker also announces Cougar has been given approval to develop the pilot plant at Coolabunia up to 30MW generating capacity.

UCG Consultative Committee Seeks Members April 23, 2010 - The Underground Coal Gasification Project Kingaroy Community Consultative Committee (KCCC) is seeking two new members to join its ranks. The current committee of nine includes a mix of community and Cougar Energy representatives but this group believes it needs to obtain a broader cross-section of people attending to increase the number involved in the consultation process. People interested in nominating for the committee should contact chairman Mayor David Carter by email or on 0429-999-029 for more information. Download the KCCC's April newsletter (772kb PDF)

Have Your Say On Daylight Saving! April 22, 2010 - The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland is inviting all Queensland businesspeople to have a say on the proposed daylight saving trial in Queensland. This is a quick snap poll by the CCIQ and to be counted you must have your say by the close of business tomorrow. The CCIQ will circulate the results of the poll to all Queensland MPs to allow them to consider the business perspective on this issue. To complete the poll, click here

Go Stargazing At Maidenwell April 21, 2010 - James Barclay will be holding a 12-hour Astronomy Course for budding stargazers at his Maidenwell Astronomical Observatory on August 14. The day will start at 9am in the Star Theatre with theory sessions. At 7pm, the focus will shift to the Observatory for a four-hour session covering star maps and using telescopes. Cost is $300 and bookings must be made by August 7. For more information, contact James on (07) 4164-6194 or 0427-961-391.

April Newsletter From BIEDO April 20, 2010 - The Burnett Inland Economic Development Organisation (BIEDO) has circulated the latest version of their regular electronic newsletter. The April 2010 edition contains details of BIEDO's Funky Futures festival in Wondai in June, the Family Footprints Challenge (encouraging a low-carbon lifestyle) and current grants. If you'd like to join BIEDO's mailing list, contact Belinda on (07) 4169-7851 or via email. Download the April newsletter (339kb pdf)

Workshop Targets Profits April 19, 2010 - The Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation will be holding a Managing For Profits Workshop in Kingaroy in June. The workshop is designed to give business owners an awareness of the financial elements involved in running a successful business and an opportunity to calculate critical financial ratios to monitor business performance. Other topics to be covered include: Financial terminology and its application Basic financial ratios Understanding financial statements How to do business better. The workshop will be held at the Kingaroy RSL on Wednesday June 9 from 1pm to 4pm. Cost is $44. For more information contact DEEDI's Maryborough Centre on (07) 4121-1780.

Nanango VIC Wins Award April 16, 2010 - The South Burnett Energy Centre / Nanango Visitor Information Centre has won a major tourism award at the Queensland Information Centre Association conference in Townsville. The centre took out the award for "Best New or Refurbished Visitor Information Centre". South Burnett Regional Council Director of Lifestyle and Culture Eleanor Sharpe, who oversaw the development of the new centre, said the award was an excellent outcome for not just the Energy Centre, but also the community. "An incredible number of people and organisations were involved in this project, driving it from the planning stage to a reality, and recognition from the state body is reward for their efforts," she said.

$1.1m Boost For South Burnett Council April 15, 2010 - Financial sustainability "remains a significant issue" for both the South Burnett and North Burnett Regional Councils, according to an independant Queensland Treasury Corporation report released today. The QTC was called in to examine 25 submissions from local Councils seeking extra funding to cover the costs of amalgamation. The report also identifies the Southern Downs Regional Council, Toowoomba Regional Council and Whitsunday Regional Council has having "weak forecast operating positions". The State Government announced today that based on the QTC findings, six councils would receive top-up funding: South Burnett Regional Council: $1.127 million; North Burnett Regional Council: $348,524; Southern Downs Regional Council: $2.38 million; Scenic Rim Regional Council: $2.79 million; Isaac Regional Council: $4.06 million; and Torres Strait Island Regional Council - $7.58 million. Toowoomba and Whitsunday Regional Councils were not successful in gaining extra funding as "both of these local governments have already received a considerable financial boost", ie the Toowoomba Pipeline project and airport and sewage upgrades in the Whitsundays. Download the State Government's press release (14kb PDF)

Solar Bonus Scheme Puts The Sun To Work For You April 14, 2010 - Local businessman Martin Stern is urging South Burnett residents to take advantage of the State Government's Solar Bonus Scheme and investigate installing a solar electricity system. Martin recently launched Kingaroy Solar Centre and can arrange installation of Edwards solar hot water systems as well free-standing and grid-connected solar power systems throughout the South Burnett. Martin told SBBiz that the Solar Bonus Scheme pays customers 44 cents per kilowatt-hour for all surplus electricity generated by their roof-top solar panels. The State Government said yesterday there were currently more than 22,400 electricity customers being paid by the scheme throughout Queensland. Kingaroy Solar Centre can be contacted on (07) 4168-0221 or by email

Cougar Appoints Executive Team April 13, 2010 - Cougar Energy has appointed a new executive team who will report directly to founder and managing director Dr Len Walker on the development of its underground coal gasification (UCG) project near Kingaroy. The executive team will "lead the company through an increasingly active period of project development and commercialisation of the UCG process", according to a Cougar press release. The team are John Henderson (General Manager - Projects), Andrew Brown (General Manager - Technology), Brad Glynne (General Manager - Corporate Finance and Investor Relations), Valeri Melik (General Manager - Project Services), Rodney Watson (Company Secretary) and Rajeev Chandra (Financial Controller). Peter South will take over the role as Site Manager - Kingaroy Project. Mr South has already spent five months in the role of Operations Manager at the Coolabunia site. Cougar Energy also announced that it was continuing to evaluate the performance of its UCG wells and gas processing plant near Kingaroy and will start publishing periodic updates soon.