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Volume 28 : Issue 9, September 2014
STONEY CREEK GAZETTE Circulation : 555
JOINT FAMILY DAY
Rural Fire Brigade Open Day / Carwoola Kite Flying Capers Sunday 7 September
12.00 noon – 4.00pm
Stoney Creek Community Hall
at Gathering Place, off Douglas Close.
(11 km along Captains Flat Rd from Kings Highway turnoff).
FREE ENTRY
12.00 noon: Stoney Creek RFS fire shed open and fire trucks on display
13.00 - 14.00: CCA kite flying and Jumping Castle (weather permitting) – kites on sale
14.00 - 14.30: RFS information session and questions
Afternoon tea / coffee and cake (gold coin donation) from 13.00-15.30pm
14.45 - 15.30: Practical demonstrations of fire-fighting equipment and techniques
15.30 -16.00: Brigade volunteers available to discuss bush fire plans, etc.
16.00: Close
For information contact Ian on 6238 2352.
Carwoola Website: www.carwoola.org.au
The Stoney Creek Gazette is a publication of the Carwoola Community Association Inc. It is distributed to mail boxes (where possible) from the Kings Highway turnoff along the Captains Flat Road and in Wanna Wanna, Green Acres, Clydesdale, Stony Creek, Radcliffe, Molonglo River Park, Widgiewa, Carwoola, Woolcara, and Primrose Valley, with
limited distribution in Hoskinstown and Forbes Creek.
The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of its editors, the Carwoola Community Association, or of the Gazette's advertisers.
CARWOOLA COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED Home Work/Mobile Ian Johnsson President 198 Radcliffe Circuit 6238 2352 Lucy Costas Secretary Wanna Wanna Road 6299 1105 Lynton Bond Treasurer, Landcare Liaison 237 Radcliffe Circuit 6238 2368 Anthea Kerrison Editor, Gazette Knox Close 0417 488723 Sandi Johnsson Committee Member 198 Radcliffe Circuit 6238 2352 Graham Reynolds Committee Member 6238 2014 0428 330272 Lybbie Hillman QCC Area Sub-committee 149 Wanna Wanna Road 6297 1161
HOSKINSTOWN REGION COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED Rowan Simpkin President 6238 2890 Julienne Kamprad President - Hoskinstown Area Roads Committee 6238 2441
EMERGENCY FIRE NUMBER (24 HOURS, 7 DAYS) REPORT ALL FIRES 000 STONEY CREEK RURAL FIRE BRIGADE (Postal Address: c/- 161 Bowen Street, Carwoola 2620)
FIRE CONTROL QUEANBEYAN (use this number to notify of planned burn-offs) 6128 0600 Fire Shed Not usually manned except during training and emergencies 6238 2569 Graham Reynolds Captain, Captains Flat Road 6238 2014 0428 330272 Peter Bavington Senior Deputy Captain, Widgiewa Road 6238 2803 0416 060242 Shirley Conn Deputy Captain, Douglas Close 6238 2622 0414 382622 Lewis Conn Deputy Captain 0457 537535 David Hanzl Deputy Captain Bowen St. 62382996 0423596583 Pauline Selmes President, Captains Flat Road 6238 2644 0403 807767 Lisa Hanzl Secretary, Bowen Street 6238 2996 0411 899111 Felix Pantaleo Treasurer, Bowen St 62382208 0477 324220 Gary Anderson Training Officer, Bowen Street 6238 2056 0418 493687
STATE EMERGENCY SERVICES Captains Flat Duty Officer - 24 hours 6236 6190 132 500
POLICE Queanbeyan 6298 0555 PALERANG COUNCIL
10 Majara Street, Bungendore 2621 (PO Box 348)
6238 8111
1300 735 025
QUEANBEYAN CITY
COUNCIL 257 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan 2620 (PO Box 90) 6285 6000
Tim Overall Mayor [email protected] 6285 6223
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE (N.S.W.)
Graeme Clifton Wanna Wanna Road 6297 4101 Ann Burgess Powell Drive 6297 5748 Rick Magus Hoskinstown 6238 2111 Mary Ann Middleton Molonglo River Park 6238 2614 Leslea Gruber Watson Place 0428626839 Ian McLennan Watson Place 0407 43 99 15
STONEY CREEK COMMUNITY CENTRE Manager & Bookings [email protected]
INJURED NATIVE ANIMALS WILDCARE Queanbeyan 6299 1966
To join the Carwoola Residents’ Email List: (1) Go to the Carwoola website www.carwoola.org.au; (2) scroll down the bottom right hand side to the Contacts box; (3) Click on the link ozlabs.org/mailman/listinfo/carwoola-residents and (4) enter your details into the online form.
Editorial
The Carwoola residents’ email group was busy this month, and some sad stories of roos on the road featured. If you hit a roo, move it off the road. If you can’t do that, at least call Wildcare (number is 6299 1966: program it into your mobile phone). There were reports of two roos left on the road, one in Knox Close and the other in Wanna Wanna Road. The Knox Close roo had a joey in her pouch, and the person who found the body rang Wildcare, the joey was saved. The Wanna Wanna Road one, sadly, wasn’t checked until the next morning, the joey had frozen to death.
If dragging the dead roo off the road and calling Wildcare is too hard, perhaps driving in such a way as to avoid hitting roos might be worth consideration, that is, slowing down. Just because the sign says you can do 80 or whatever, doesn’t always mean you should. If you see roos, it’s certain there’s others around that you can’t see. Another useful thing with roos is a loud horn (not the one the car comes with). I’ve seen roos almost change course in mid air when given a blast of the air horn. Cars stop being part of the landscape at that point, and become threatening things to avoid.
Speaking of the Carwoola email group, notifications of burnoffs were the big news item in August, people letting everyone know they were going to burn some wood (they’d also notified the fire control people). And straying goats, in Radcliffe we seem to get marauding hordes of them appearing every so-often. Eating gardens.
Anthea
Advertising in the Gazette
Business:
Full page (maximum size 180x255) $75.00
Half page (maximum size 180x125) $40.00
Third page (maximum size 180x85) $30.00
Quarter page (90x125 or 180x60 ) $20.00
Local part-time business:
Quarter page $15.00
Classifieds (non-business) are free
One-off ads & articles are dependent on space available.
PDFs do not import well into Word; all other formats are fine (jpg, png, word etc). Payment must be received before publication for one-off advertisements.
Permanent advertisers are invoiced six monthly, in March and September. There is no discount for advance payment or multiple advertisements.
Carwoola Community Association and Stoney Creek Gazette are not registered for GST.
DEADLINE for the October 2014 STONEY CREEK GAZETTE
***5pm Last day of September***
Please send CONTRIBUTIONS, ADVERTISEMENTS, CLASSIFIEDS to the Gazette Editor:
email: [email protected] (phone 0417 488 723)
All emails get a response confirming they were received.
Receipt by the deadline date does not necessarily guarantee publication in that issue.
Address for payment of accounts remains 237 Radcliffe Circuit, Carwoola NSW 2620
REAL ESTATE SALES AND RENTALS
FOR ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS
MELINDA McCALLUM is your local salesperson
Melinda has more than 20 years experience selling rural real estate
Melinda is Rural Manager of Hodgkinson Real Estate, specialising in sales and Property Management
Obligation-free appraisals
Available 7 days a week to assist you at your convenience
Phone 0429 122 700 or 6293 1033 B/H
Park Watch To advise any illegal activity in a Nature reserve…
Provide information on the location (which reserve/road/trail)
Date, time and type of activity
Description of people involved (number/age/appearance)
Description of vehicle (make/colour/numberplate)
NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service 6229 7166 Queanbeyan Police 6298 0599
TAYLOR MADE PUMPS YOUR PUMPS NOT PUMPING?
PUMP REPAIRS TO ALL MAKES OF PUMPS
New Pumps Supplied and Installed
Home Pressure Systems
Bore and Irrigation Pumps
Bore, pump and power packages
Water Bore Drilling Rig in local area - on site surveys
Fire Fighting Pumps - Sales and Repairs
Windmill Service, Repairs and New Sales
Water Softener Repairs and Water Quality Analysis
Premium Quality Water Softener Salt at Rural Prices
Don't run out of water - call a Local Bloke for mobile Sales & Repairs
Mark Taylor ALL HOURS
0428 486 460 (Mob) 6238 2357 (Home) 6238 2351 (Fax)
FIREWOOD For Sale CARWOOLA
RED & YELLOW BOX, RED IRONBARK
SEASONED & SPLIT $250 TONNE
DELIVERED
CHAINSAW SERVICING, BARS &
CHAINS Etc Supplied
Chainsaw servicing, chainsaw chain, bars,
sprocket, files etc supplied
chain sharpening service, guaranteed best
sharpening job locally, bars dressed.
Chain & Bars are the very best available,
Carlton USA, GB Australia & Tsumura
Bar & chain prices 30 ~ 50% below dealer
SAWCHAIN SUPPLY
6 Agnes Ave, Queanbeyan Ph. 6299 3328 or 0413 392960 7 days
Letter to the Community
Thank you for the special message of condolence from the Carwoola Community for the loss of Don.
Our family sincerely appreciates your generous words.
We are grateful to have the opportunity to create our own peaceful haven, surrounded by wonderful neighbours and friends.
Don’s delight in the garden was his one constant, and we are blessed that he was able to live out his days here at “Clover Hill.”
Valerie Smith
LOCAL PLANTS IN FLOWER
Ros Cornish, Widgiewa Road
The following list is what could be flowering this month. Check out www.flickr.com/photos/carwoolaplants/ to see photos and descriptions of many of these.
WHITE/CREAM FLOWERS
Acacia genistifolia, Acacia ulicifolia, Brachyloma daphnoides, Clematis leptophylla, Cryptandra amara, C. propinqua, Leucopogon attenuatus, Leucopogon fletcheri ssp. brevisepalus, Melichrus urceolatus, Pomaderris eriocephala, Wurmbea dioica
YELLOW/ORANGE FLOWERS
Acacia buxifolia, A. dawsonii, A. dealbata, Acacia rubida, Daviesia genistifolia, Dillwynia sieberi
BLUE/PURPLE/MAUVE FLOWERS
Cyanicula caerulea, Hardenbergia violacea, Hovea heterophylla, Indigofera australis, Stypandra glauca, Viola betonicifolia
RED/PINK FLOWERS
Grevillea lanigera, Lissanthe strigosa
GREEN OR INCONSPICUOUS FLOWERS
Clematis leptophylla, Luzula densiflora
Notes on birds August 2014
An exciting start to the month when former resident John Bissett came back for a visit and reported seeing an Australian Pelican flying up from the Plain and heading west. The fun continued with King-parrots seen in Knox Close and then Pink-eared Ducks (2nd report for the project) seen on 28th near Foxlow.
We’re at the time of year when migrants return (and most of them appear to be on track or perhaps early) and birds start nesting. A few species are busy with the preliminaries at least! The list includes Australian Wood Duck, Tawny Frogmouth, Striated Pardalote, White-browed Scrubwren, Australian Magpie and Pied Currawong.
A full report will be posted to http://carwoolabirds.blogspot.com.au/2014/05/august-2014.html. As always, please pass on interesting sightings to me by email to [email protected].
AAA WATER CARRYING
DOMESTIC WATER
7 days Prompt Delivery
ACTEWAGL APPROVED STAINLESS STEEL WATER TANK
Servicing your local area for over 28 years!
0428 626 838 Or
62973648
PO Box 7236, Karabar, 2620 [email protected]
Carwoola Cars Locally Chauffeured Vehicles
For all your transport requirements - weddings
- airport transfers - snow trips
- interstate transfers
0428 240 224 or
Walga Park
Wendy Christiansen
EA NCAS Level 1 (General) Coach, BM (Equine Business)
84 Walga Close Carwoola NSW
Ph: (02) 6238 2334 M: 0401 067 592
ABN: 76832210183
http://www.facebook.com/WalgaPark
Horse Riding lessons – Dressage and Show-jumping
Private and Group lessons on your horse
Beginner and experienced riders ages 6 and up
Nervous riders and family groups welcome
Cross country lessons also available
Arena Hire and Round-yard Hire
Outdoor 20m x 60m Dressage Arena – sand surface
Outdoor 40m x 50m Show-jumping arena - grass surface
20m Round-yard – sand surface
Arenas fully fenced for rider safety
Long term rates for local riders
Bookings essential
Ridge View
Personalised
Riding Tuition ABN:71143725750
The Dressage, Hacking/Showing and
Side-saddle riding specialists
Providing riding programs specifically
tailored to meet your needs Individual lessons conducted on weekends
and evenings during daylight savings.
Get instructions from a fully qualified EA
NCAS Level 1 Instructor.
Lessons conducted in a fully fenced outdoor
dressage sand arena for your personal safety.
All ages and standards are welcome.
Ample parking is available for your float or
truck.
The only riding facility in the whole of
Australia to offer side-saddle lessons with a
UK qualified “A” level instructor and judge.
Available to conduct clinics.
Riding lessons at reasonable rates.
Free Horse manure available all year round.
Contact Ridge View PRT on
6238 2281 or 0417 068 985 and book your lesson NOW!
CARWOOLA LANDCARE GROUP Rabbit control program
The rabbit numbers are building up again, and the Landcare Group in conjunction with the Molonglo Catchment Group is expecting to undertake another rabbit control program. With no advances on the Calicivirus front, another Pindone baiting program is proposed.
We are working with the South East Local Land Services, to run a course at the Carwoola Community Hall, Gathering Place (off Douglas Close) 10am – 12 noon on Sunday 28th September in the proper use and management of Pindone poison by landholders. The course will provide instruction on WHAT Pindone is, HOW to use it, how it WORKS, WHERE and WHEN to use it, how to dispose of it SAFELY, and also how to MINIMISE the impact on off-target species and results in qualification to use the poison on your property. It is a repeat of the course held last year, so if you attended that course and received a Chemcert qualification, there is no need to attend this one, but a refresher is highly recommended.
After the course, we will organise a baiting program. Timing of the baiting program is still undecided. Calicivirus is still out there, and is likely to spread through the local rabbit population when the rabbit numbers increase sufficiently for it to become epidemic. Pindone is best used in late summer, when feed quality and quantity is declining, so the rabbits are more likely to take the bait. Another positive aspect of the use of Pindone is that it is not dependent on an individual rabbit’s lack of immunity, unlike the Calicivirus. Calicivirus has the longest ‘life’ in the cooler months, so the use of Pindone in late summer should decrease rabbit numbers, and then potentially hitting them with the virus again in early winter we can get these bunnies under some semblance of control.
Biocontrol: Mites St John Wort
Last November we held a session to look at the prevalence of the predatory mite and we were surprised to find that there were none on any of the samples from local properties. Whether this is because the local variety of St Johns Wort is not suitable for the mite or some other reason is uncertain, but Queanbeyan Landcare has now grown a large number of plants which host the mite and Dave Dempster will be holding a short workshop at the Community Hall on Saturday 13 September, starting at 10am to distribute them. Get along if you want to help out distributing the mite or just to find out more. Any queries, phone Dave on 6297 5608.
To keep informed about Landcare happening locally, there is a Landcare Group email list for discussion and notification of Landcare events. To join the list, send an email to [email protected] with the subject “subscribe” (without the quotes).
The Molonglo Catchment Group website is a great source of information for what’s happening in our catchment and what funding is available - see www.molonglocatchment.org.au.
Don’t forget to tune in to Radio Landcare from 8-9am Sunday mornings on QBN-FM 96.7 and on 2XX Community Radio FM 98.3 from 9-10am Tuesdays.
LYNTON BOND, Secretary
CLEAN WATER
TANK SERVICES
Tanks cleaned with minimal water loss
Crack repairs - flexible reinforced
membrane
Metal covers supplied and fitted
Water treatment - tank & house lines
Filters supplied and fitted
RING JOHN on 0428 489 291
Mobile Pet Care
Are you planning to go away?
Are you concerned about the welfare of your family pets or farm animals while you're away? Whether you're away for one night or many, we offer a reliable and caring service that comes to your home to care for your animals and do a variety of essential daily tasks.
• Animal feeding & watering • Putting chickens to bed • Watering indoor plants • Watering vegetable garden • Mail collection • Emergency visit to your local vet if required • Email updates on your pet's progress
For more information and rates, call Carol on 0427 970 613
Before you go away, we come to your home to meet your animals and get those last minute instructions!
FLAME TIPS September 2014
www.stoneycreek-rfs.org.au www.rfs.nsw.gov.au
www.facebook.com/stoneycreekruralfirebrigade
Rural Fire Brigade Open Day / Carwoola Kite Flying Capers
Sunday 7 September, 12.00 noon – 4.00pm at Stoney Creek Community Hall, at Gathering Place, off Douglas Close.
IN AN EMERGENCY CALL TRIPLE ZERO (000) PREPARE. ACT. SURVIVE | BUSH FIRE INFORMATION LINE | 1800 679 737
Fund Raising for the Stony Creek Fire Brigade On Saturday 20 September Peter and Robyn D’Arcy plan to hold a Pigeon Race to raise money for our local
brigade. Everyone acknowledges the great job the volunteer brigade members do and acknowledge also
the huge commitment they make of their own time.
The plan is that many of the locals who benefit from their services will choose to come and take part in a
pigeon race from Sutton to RMB 47 Stony Creek Place, Carwoola.
Procedures will commence at 9.00am at 47 Stony Creek Place, Carwoola. People will be able to ‘purchase’
a pigeon for $25. A ticket will be given to each purchaser and a pigeon [identified by the number on its life
ring] will be allocated to each ‘buyer’. The pigeons will all be placed in a basket and transported to Sutton,
then released.
As people wait for the birds to return to their home loft they will have the opportunity to purchase a BBQ
‘brunch’, the profits of which will all go to the brigade.
The birds should return about 11.00am/11.30am which leaves the rest of the day free.
Pigeons ‘purchased’ for the race at $25 each
$5 goes to the prize winning pool
$20 goes to the Fire Brigade
If 30 ‘flyers’ - $150 to the winners - $600 to the Brigade
We should get more than 30 flyers – people can ‘buy’ more than one bird. Neighbours, relatives
and friends from Queanbeyan and Canberra will be welcomed!
Last year’s race raised $1800 for the Brigade
About 50 to 60 birds will be available for the race
The first three birds to return through the electronic trap in their home loft will be declared the
winners
Drinks will be available for sale
Winners are announced approximately 11:30am
Contact – Peter D’Arcy 6238 2801 – [email protected] We would prefer to know
numbers/interest as early as possible. In the Melbourne Cup a horse will travel approx three kilometres @
30kph – a pigeon can fly for 6 hours at 80 kph!
Rags R Us ABN: 12359763064
Cleaning, Wiping, Polishing & Everyday Use
FLANNELETTE SHEETING
WHITE SHEETING LIGHTWEIGHT
MEDIUMWEIGHT SOFT KNITS
WHITE SOFT KNITS
TOWELLING WHITE COTTON
WHITE TOWELLING
Slabs are 15kg they have been pressed and strapped 1 slab takes approximately a third of the space
previously required for a bag of wipers. 15kg conforms to state legislation and manual
handling code of practice. This will reduce the possibility of a work injury and workers
compensation claims against your company.
Canberra & Surrounding Areas Mastercard and Visa Cards Accepted
Discounts apply for Orders more than 4 Slabs
Phone: Julie 0402347607
Email: [email protected]
Web:www.ragsrus.com.au
Quality, value and
creative
designs for every
occasion
Jan Logan
6292 2462 6291 1074 ph/fax
6238 2371 a/h
Classifieds Classifieds Classifieds
Treadmill Free: I have a treadmill available for free to anyone who wants to pick it up. It’s a heavy-duty,
good quality machine, Body Science T940 (not a cheap K Mart job). Its inclinator does not work, but you
can still run on the flat at 16 varying speeds. Phone: 6238 2342
Eventing Gear Clearance: Saddles, bridles, CAIR girth, halters, protective boots, and bandages, summer
and winter rugs, risers, saddle cloths, assorted bits, farrier’s kit, whips and crops, eventing vest, top boots,
top hat and tails, and heaps more. Phone Sandra on 0428 433279 or 6238 2447.
Ride on mowers - Walker mower, old but runs well, has catcher that does work. $1100 ono. Electrolux -
motor needs work, but all else is good $500 ono. Call Fred on 62382528
THINGS TO DO IN THE GARDEN IN SEPTEMBER
By late September it should be safe to cut back plants that have been damaged by frost. Although many spring-flowering shrubs are showing colour at present, do not plant out frost-tender species before frosts are over.
As the weather gets warmer and plants come into active growth, it is important to keep gardens well mulched. Organic mulches improve the fertility and texture of the soil, prevent moisture loss through evaporation and suppress weeds. Put mulches on after watering.
Fertilise all plants and pot-plants, except phosphorus-sensitive natives.
Areas to be planted to lawn should be well prepared. Go over several times with rotary hoe. Established lawns that have become compacted will respond to aeration and feeding. Top dress holes with sandy soil and water thoroughly.
Indoor plants and outdoor tub plants can be repotted into fresh potting mix, or large containers topped up with fresh, and then feed with soluble or slow release fertiliser.
Check new growth on roses. If not going in the right direction, cut back to a suitably placed lower bud. Watch out for aphis on new growth. Remove by hand or spray with water. If heavy infestations occur, use garlic sprays, soapy water, Clensel or Malathion.
Apply potash lightly and liquid fertiliser fortnightly to spring flowering bulbs. If necessary, protect from snails, slugs and rabbits. (How you protect them from the galahs I don't know!) As bulbs finish flowering, feed with soluble fertiliser before the foliage dies down as this helps the formation of flower buds for next season. Do not lift bulbs or cut back until the foliage has died.
Shrubs that flowered during winter need a trim to promote new growth and keep bushes dense. Early spring-flowering shrubs (eg flowering cherry, weigela, viburnum, prunus, japonica) should be pruned immediately after bloom. Shrubs flowering later in spring or summer on new shoots (eg oleander, fuchsia) should be pruned now before new growth begins. Cane-stemmed shrubs such as abelia, deutzia, kolkwitzia and spiraea can be thinned out, removing exhausted canes almost to the ground.
Dahlia tubers and gladioli can be planted from now until Christmas.
Sow vegetable seeds such as beetroot, cabbage, carrot, lettuce, onion, parsley, parsnips, peas, potatoes, radishes, shallots, spinach/silverbeet. Frost tender vegetables such as tomatoes, pumpkin, zucchini, cucumber, capsicum and sweet corn can be sown in punnets and kept in a sheltered position for planting out in October. Leave root crops and beans until October.
STONEY CREEK COMMUNITY HALL HIRING FEES Community Groups: $20 Fund raising functions: $110 Private hiring: $110 + $250 bond
Heating (between 1 Apr and 31 Oct): $5/hr to a maximum of $110 Cleaning fee (if hall is not cleaned): $35/hr
To hire the hall, phone 6238 2803 (a.h.) or email [email protected]
Councillor’s Corner
Waste Management — Having dealt with rates (to some extent) and roads in recent columns, I thought I’d round out council’s three ‘R’s with a few words on rubbish. It’s a bit of a dirty subject in several ways, not least because of the costs involved.
Most readers will be aware that new waste transfer stations are under construction at both the current Bungendore and Macs Reef Road tip sites. The works that are under way in both locations are plain to see. Both facilities are due to come into service on 4 December 2014. At this time, the associated landfill areas will be closed, and Palerang Council’s waste management model will change, most significantly in that residents will be charged at the gate of the new facilities to dispose of rubbish.
At this point it is important to note that the disposal of recyclable items, primarily paper, plastics and glass, will continue to be free, as an incentive for residents to separate as much of these materials from their general waste stream as possible.
Further, the regional waste transfer stations, like the Macs Reef Road facility, will be limited in the range of materials that can be deposited. Many items, such as tyres, white goods, scrap metal and dead animals, will not be accepted at the regional centres, and will need to be taken to the Bungendore facility. The regional facilities will, however, accept smaller recyclable items like batteries and waste oil, along with the traditional recyclable waste streams of paper, plastics and glass. Full details, of what will and will not be accepted at the various facilities, will be circulated by Council as we transition to the new processing model.
It has been recognised from the outset that the imposition of gate fees is controversial. One view is that the user should pay, the other that this will simply lead to illegal dumping. Either way, council has an obligation to discourage the production of waste, and charging on the basis of ‘usage’ is the most obvious solution. Even so, the charges that will be levied (around $5 for a 140L bin or $16 for a trailer load of general waste) in no way cover the cost of operating our WTSs, and much of the basic operational cost will still be levied through a general Waste Programs Charge.
Council’s overall general waste charging system is complicated by the geography of, and also to some extent by the demographic distribution within our shire. The imposition of GST on landfill operations adds another layer of complexity to the charging structure.
Council endeavours to recognise that some areas in the southwest of the shire have more practical access to waste management facilities in the ACT or Queanbeyan, and some charges for residents in these areas are reduced accordingly. All residents, however, pay a Waste Programs Charge that covers the cost of delivering general waste management services such as clean-up programs and the management of illegal dumping. In the relevant areas, this also covers the capital cost of establishing, and the basic cost of operating the new waste transfer facilities.
A recent tax office ruling requiring councils to apply GST to charges associated with landfill operations has resulted in a separate Waste Services Charge. While this increases the complexity of the waste charging system, splitting this component out of the Waste Programs Charge minimises the associated GST increase that is levied on residents. This charge will disappear when our landfills are closed.
Council also provides general waste and recyclables collection services in our towns and some rural residential areas. These services are charged separately through Domestic Waste Charges.
Under the new waste management model, general waste will ultimately be transferred from the new facilities to the Woodlawn Bioreactor, near Tarago. While recyclables are currently transferred to the Mugga Lane facility in the ACT, alternative options that provide a better return to council are under investigation.
Details of the Palerang Council Waste Management Strategy and the new Macs Reef Road WTS are available on the WCA website at http://wamboincommunity.asn.au/waste.
The Palerang Blog—New or related entries in my councillor website Blog (http://peteharrison.id.au/blog) include:
Waste Management (Jul 2014) Waste Management Surveys (Mar 2013) Macs Reef Road WTS (Jan 2013)
Council’s General Meetings are held on the first Thursday of the month (excluding January), commencing at 5.00 pm. Members of the public are welcome. The meeting location varies—check Council’s website (http://palerang.nsw.gov.au) for details. Meeting Business Papers are also available on Council’s website on the Friday preceding the meeting.
Cr Pete Harrison
Ph. 6238 3640 Mob. 0427 711 028 Email: [email protected] Website: www.peteharrison.id.au
AUGUST 2014 WEATHER WATCH
(RAINFALL AVERAGED OVER LAST 31 YEARS)
MONTHLY RAINFALL: 49.2mm falling over 8 days
AVERAGE MONTHLY RAINFALL: 53.7mm
YEAR TO DATE RAINFALL FOR 2014: 410.9mm
(TEMPERATURE IN BRACKETS APPLIES TO THE LAST 22 YEARS)
MAXIMUM DAYTIME TEMP 18.5° (24.0°)
MINIMUM OVERNIGHT TEMP -6.2° (-10.0°)
AVERAGE DAYTIME TEMP 14.1° (13.7°)
AVERAGE OVERNIGHT TEMP -0.4° (-0.9°)
HANDS ON EQUINE SERVICES ABN 67181232447
Specialised Equine Body Work,
Equine Massage and
Myofascial Release
Contact: CARYN BULMER EEBW
0412-726-604 or [email protected]
Gait assessment
Whole body assessment for areas of sensitivity
Hands on advanced massage techniques and
myofascial release
Benefits include:
Improves horse behaviour
Assists in recovery from exercise or sport related
issues
Reduces tension
Increases circulation
Relaxes muscles and enhances muscle tone
Provides pain relief
Aids in movement and performance
Current clients have reported a significant improvement in overall health and wellbeing, including muscle function and range of motion.
Member of IEBWA International Equine Body Worker Association
Charity Bookfair Community Centre, Crawford Street. Opposite Council Chambers On: Fridays 5:00 pm – 8:00pm, and Saturdays 10:00 - 2:00 pm
Next regular monthly Bookfair at the community centre in Crawford St Qbn 5th & 6th September.
Receiving charity will be Queanbeyan St. Benedict’s Community Day Centre.
Future Dates: Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th October Friday 7th and Saturday 8th November Friday 5th and Saturday 6th December
WOMEN’S GROUP MEETING
We normally meet every second Wednesday at 10.30am for morning tea in members’ homes. For information about this friendly informal group for adults, phone Gwen Yates on 6238 2531
NEW TO THE AREA?
The Carwoola Community Association has produced an Information Pack for new residents.
It contains lots of information that will help you to adjust to rural life more readily, and tell you who to ring or where to go if you have a problem.
If you would like a copy, please phone Christine or Lynton Bond on 6238 2368.
The Weed Patch Diary of a dedicated non-poisoning weeder: Rose-Marie Johnson
Plenty of good, regular rain during winter favoured the germination of a multitude of weeds and, with the coming of warmer weather, more and more weeds are starting to flower, so hoeing the dense patches of rosettes, especially Capeweed, Storksbills and Shepherd’s Purse, is becoming more urgent. My aim is to do the densest patches before too many start flowering, minimizing the number needing to be picked up for solarizing. Hopefully, by the time most are flowering and therefore easy to find, there will be few left or regenerating where there were previously plenty, leaving more time for patrolling for the scattered ones. Wild Sage is another non-noxious weed that’s highly invasive and so worth keeping under control. Because it has a long tap root, it’s best dug out while the soil is still moist and soft. Dense infestations are more efficiently smothered. Thankfully, far fewer Blackberries germinated this winter than last year, so there’s not so much heavy digging to be done (awaiting further recovery after my eight hour brain tumour operation). Weedy grasses are another spring priority, the most important two being the noxious African Lovegrass and Serrated Tussock. Chilean Needle Grass is a different noxious category that restricts distribution but doesn’t require suppression, although it’s well worth the effort if you have the time because its sharp seeds are injurious to animals (and can be very uncomfortable in clothes). If you’re controlling Chilean Needle Grass, it should be done as soon as possible because, of all the weeds, this one is the most important to chip out before it starts to form seed. Because seeds develop along the stem and even underground, in addition to the visible seed heads, once seed develops the whole plant needs to be taken away, but it’s inconveniently bulky. The tussocks are big and hold a significant clump of soil, so are useful laid down in humps to make swales where the soil is shallow, if they’re chipped before seeds develop. Barley Grass also has injurious seeds and is highly invasive, so it’s high priority. Despite the seemingly impossible amount when it first came in via hay, my early intensive efforts paid off and we now have very little. Barley Grass needs to be done promptly, because as soon as the hot weather arrives this shallow-rooted annual dries out quickly, and then the seeds spring away when you handle it (and prickle uncomfortably through gloves). Paterson’s Curse is at its most toxic now, before it bolts, and is especially toxic to horses. Unlike the small weeds which are now urgent, Paterson’s Curse can be suppressed by cutting if I can’t keep up with it later. However, the scattered plants are harder to find and are easily overlooked when the pasture grows, plus chipping them provides the greatest reduction in range for the amount of work, so I’m already doing those. Although Saffron Thistle isn’t noxious, I give it the highest priority of any thistles, to be done early at the soft rosette stage, because when it bolts it hardens and becomes most unpleasantly sharp to handle, worse than the usual thistle prickliness. It devalues wool and is a curse for shearers, is highly invasive and can form dense, impenetrable thickets that remain long after they die. Spear Thistle and the noxious thistles generally grow large enough to be easy to find and provide a good source of organic material, so I tend to leave them until the first buds form before chipping them out and using them to cover bare, eroding or parched areas. Horehound, which is declared noxious, is another bulky weed useful for covering bare patches, if it’s chipped soon, before it flowers and goes to seed. Other weeds worth controlling, if you can, include the highly poisonous Scarlet Pimpernel, the less toxic Small-flowered and Red-flowered Mallows, and the invasive Dandelions, Senecio, Cress, Chickweed and Speedwell. Onion Weed needs special vigilance because it only flowers briefly and is otherwise hard to find. Salsify and Goatsbeard go to seed quickly after flowering, so are best dug as soon as they’re seen. Fleabane, Mustard Weed, Narrow-leaf Clover, Wireweed and Mullein won’t go to seed in the next month so can be left for later patrols, but are still worth doing where there are very few. Encouragingly, our patches of weeds are yearly becoming smaller, sparser and fewer. My weed suppression efforts have been aided by improving groundcover. We’ve done this by increasing our division of paddocks for rotational grazing; by improving our soil chemistry and biology with lime and poultry litter; by increasing water penetration on the worst slopes using rip lines and swales; by stabilizing areas susceptible to erosion with stones, organic matter and, where the problem was sodicity, with gypsum to improve soil chemistry; and by improving parch marks where the soil is shallow as well as bare spots, by covering with the non-seedy parts of weeds and with loose brush. Hope you’re successful in balancing your priorities at this critical time in the weeding cycle.
Greg McAllister
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