COUNCIL BRIEFS
WITH CR GEOFF LITTLER

Clean up Maroochy

Don’t forget Clean Up Maroochy is on again on Sunday, March 7. We need your support to make our contribution to the Clean Up Australia campaign worthwhile and, after all, it is a great opportunity for each of us to be "hands on" in helping our local environment.

As usual, helpers can meet me at Kolora Park at 7am when we’ll co-ordinate the day’s activities. Council is also offering prizes and giveaways for participants.

Storm Water Pollution

What’s going down the drain? Not pollutants if Council and community groups have their way! In an effort to reduce stormwater pollution, Council has developed a visual reminder for the community about stormwater care. Drain stencilling which involves painting a logo on drains and stormwater inlets will soon be introduced into our town areas. The logo features a dolphin and the words "Protect Our Waterways... Flows To The Ocean". Individuals and community groups are encouraged to participate in the marking of drains and stormwater in their local area. If you would like to be part of this innovative program or would like more information, please contact Peter Owen in Council’s Environment Protection Team on 5441 8697.

Victory Park

The Victory Parks Sport and Recreation Reserve is looking to the future following a public meeting on February 17. Information collected at this meeting will be considered in the development of the draft master plan for this facility. The master plan will ensure a "needs based" allocation of resources rather than an ad hoc approach for future site improvements. The final Plan is scheduled to be completed by June 1999.

Bicentennial Awards

Maroochy Shire Council is seeking nominations for its 1999 Maroochy Bicentennial Foundation Fellowship Awards. The Awards, which were initiated in 1988 as Maroochy Shire’s major project to celebrate Australia’s Bicentenary, provide grants to encourage the pursuit of excellence in any given field. Award recipients have been recognised in fields such as music, sport, arts, community service, town planning, theatre, environmental management, medical research and service to the handicapped and disabled.

Entry is open to residents who have lived in Maroochy Shire for a minimum of two years.

Conditions of entry are outlined with the official nomination form which is available from Council libraries and offices at Nambour and the Maroochydore Customer Service Centre. Entry forms are also available from the Tourist Information Centre, corner Sixth Avenue and Aerodrome Road, Maroochydore. Further information, 5441 8209.

Nominations close at 5pm on March 31, 1999.

50 km/h Speed Limit

From March 1, 1999 motorists in South East Queensland must drive no faster than 50 km/h on local streets. Local streets are those which are used mainly to access homes and private property and only carry neighbourhood traffic.

The new speed limit will apply in the same way as the current built-up area speed limit of 60 km/h. That is unless you see a speed limit sign indicating otherwise, you don’t drive faster than 50 km/h.

This lower speed limit will help reduce crashes and make the local streets in our community safer and more pleasant for everyone.

Events sponsorship grants

Council invites applications from Maroochy Shire community based organisations requiring assistance to develop events within the Shire.

The Events Sponsorship Grants Program aims to generate economic activity, develop civic pride, foster higher learning and local confidence while raising the profile of Maroochy by developing and supporting special events. Events may include:

Conferences, conventions, festivals, competitions, (sporting or cultural), exhibitions, trade and consumer shows, carnivals, displays, fairs (other than school).Applications close at 5 pm on March 12. Forms available from the Community Assistance Administration Officer Mrs Kylie Dickey on 5475 8965.

Keil Mountain Intersection

Several residents have phoned me suggesting improvements to traffic control to enhance safety at the intersection during the construction of the overpass. Their suggestions have been passed to Main Roads for consideration.