This Saturday on the 7th, we will be shifting the truck load of mulch, that our council supplied free of charge, into the gardens and under the trees in our Paluma Pioneers Memory park. It’s quite a lovely grove these days.
The working bee will start at 2pm with everyone meeting up at the hall first. Bring a wheel barrow, shovels and a hardy rake if you have them. The best tool in the shed however is you… so do please bring yourself to the fray (even if you haven’t any of the gear) and enjoy burning up a few calories with fellow enthusiasts. Drinks are on afterwards!!! Thanks Wilfred
The PDCA would like to thank everybody for their combined efforts to make Paluma’s final market day of the year and the NRL grand final viewing in the hall such a great success this past Sunday.
The PDCA Bake and Preserves table. Photo by Anneshka Brown
Locals and tourists alike were a strong and steady flow starting quite early in the day. The bbq didn’t shut down till quite a bit after 12pm and did great business with many coming back for seconds (and thirds) for “‘the lot’ please, that bbq-ed pineapple is amazing!”
The hall was filled with chatter and laughs with some shoppers making beelines to the baked goods stalls and others slowly meandering and enjoying the sport of browsing and selecting what they desired. Our community was on show and did itself proud at these markets. So many smiles.
The NRL grand final evening was also an opportunity to quietly socialise prior to the game for some of the locals as well as an opportunity for all – locals and visitors – to watch the footy showdown on the ‘big screen’.
Our PDCA treasurer, Wilfred Karnoll, is likely still grinning as this post ‘goes to air’ as the markets and grand final viewing made a net total of $1366 for our community. This success comes with effort from all the volunteers who:
Paluma and district produce and preserves… YUM!
worked hard to ensure the hall was ready for vendors and shoppers alike;
Made the effort to set up their own stall to raise funds for the rural fire service
ensured all ran smoothly throughout the duration of the market;
prepared many a preserve, cake, slice, cookie and sweet and savoury treat for the PDCA bake stall
Collected fresh produce and plants from local growers for the PDCA fresh produce stall
A great big “Thank You” to our volunteers. Your service makes our community stronger. As Wilfred said, “…just goes to show what a small community like ours can do when we all pull together.”
Text and photos by J. Poletto unless noted otherwise
This Saturday September 30, a public meeting is being held at the Paluma Community Centre (10am) for all ratepayers to discuss the setting of the 2024 fire levy.
Come along and find out what the brigade is up to over a cuppa and piece of cake.
If there are any queries in the lead up to the meeting, please contact:
Waterfall Creek Rural Fire Brigade wish to advise that they will be conducting hazard reduction burns in the Blackfriars area, this Saturday September 16th September 2023 (weather and conditions dependent).
Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Sonya Bryce on (0474) 324 153 or 1st Officer Josh McAllister on (0437) 694691.
The annual Paluma Garden Competition will be held in the month of October. Competition judges from Bunnings will be escorted by a member of the PDCA executive committee around gardens of Paluma residents and businesses including the blocks along and adjacent to Hussey Road.
If you do not wish to be included in this competition please let Jamie Oliver, Lynn Hyland or any other member of the PDCA committee know as soon as possible.
All contact details of the PDCA committee are accessible on this website under ‘contact’.
Casual cleaner and/or gardener required at Rainforest Inn Paluma. Please reply by email to reception@rainforestinnpaluma.com or ring Jennie on 041887925.
Last Saturday, Sept 2nd, three keen workers joined Wilfred and did a lot of hard work cutting back the vegetation at Star Valley lookout to ensure it wasn’t getting too overgrown. Visitors (and locals) can now enjoy the view over the ranges. When was the last time you stopped for a look out over Star Valley?
Our community working bees are usually held on the first Saturday of the month.
Removal of the vegetation overgrowth by the working bee team has got to be seen to be appreciated! Many thanks to the September working bee team.
Welcome Spring in Paluma by participating in our monthly working bee organised by Wilfred Karnoll. Meet at the Rotunda next to the Community Hall at 2PM and he will let you know what the plans for the afternoon are. Contact Wilfred if you wish to know what you may need to bring along, eg: gardening equipment.
Nick and Margie…Margie came up in her set of four wheels in case you were wondering.
Last Sunday, on August 20th was our first Community Meeting with Cr Margie Ryder for this year. It was very productive with some rigorous discussion around several issues. There was also an earlier briefing with Nick Dametto, our Hinchinbrook electorate representative in Qld Parliament, regarding the village entrance signage. The issues raised at the community meeting included:
Pet clean up bags and general pet management
Traffic management – speeding in the village
Community security – break-ins, hooning
Road maintenance – verges on road to Dam turnoff and potholes on dam road
Vegetation control – weeds on council land and vacant blocks
Signage at village entrance
Pet cleanup and other resources left by Cr Maggie Ryder will be distributed directly to resident pet owners or left at the Community Hall for pickup.
Pet clean up bags: proposal put to council to provide pet clean up bag dispensers has not been approved. Maggie will take it back to council again noting that the PDCA is happy to do the restocking of any installed dispensers with resources provided by council.
A ‘letterbox drop’ to residents suggested as a reminder of their responsibilities as pet owners including use of leashes.
Pet management: There is currently a ‘local law’ pertaining to cat ownership currently being considered at State level. This resulted from a community survey open to all of the Townsville City Council area. If this law is passed, this community has the option to be considered for its use. It would mean residents will not be able to bring in ‘new’ cats to their home. A grandfather clause will allow those who currently have cats to keep them. It was suggested this also be applied to dog ownership although Margie indicated this would likely not be accepted.
The notion of an ‘off leash park’ be established on council land was also put forward.
Maggie provided some pet clean up dispenser bags and leashes for distribution to residents with dogs.
Traffic management/speeding: Need to report ANY observed offences with the police, online or by phone. Mobile number for Rollingstone Police: 0456096305 If its not reported, it hasn’t happened and no action can be taken.
Due to valid concerns of the safety of visiting school groups and visiting families during school holidays walking along the main road, Margie will write to Nick Dametto to approach Education Queensland (Nth Qld Region) and Townsville Catholic Education Office as well as Main Roads in regards to signage and other measures to mitigate the possibility of future casualities due to vehicles speeding through the village. Specific examples of ways other communities have mitigated speeding provided.
Community security: Need to report ANY observed offences with the police, online or by phone. Mobile number for Rollingstone Police: 0456096305 If its not reported, it hasn’t happened and no action can be taken.
Suggestion residents purchase loud portable air horns to assist in alerting close neighbours of immediate security concerns. This has been effective in reducing criminal activity in some streets in small communities near and within Townsville city.
Suggestion to establish a community alert ‘phone tree’ to ensure residents are alerted to any immediate security threats.
Suggested to invite Rollingstone Police mobile number to Paluma Community Alert WhatsApp
Paluma Dam Road and verges from village end to turn off: Paluma Dam road annual maintenance will occur in September. Request for support for more regular maintenance considered.
A request to council to budget for building up and strengthening verges to cope with large vehicles including garbage trucks. Recent repairs due to request by Sam Stedman of Outer Limit Adventure Fitness in preparation for the recent Paluma Push. Noted this took persistent communications to happen.
Use ‘Snap Send Solve’ App available on TCC website; Contact Margie directly regards road/verge maintenance (from village to Paluma dam turnoff and the Dam road, Hussey Road) that have been logged with council but not actioned ESPECIALLY if any safety concerns.
Vegetation control: Council to be informed to mow verges of loop road as part of their regular maintenance. Margie will query council on their ability to enforce landowners to manage vegetation on their vacant blocks of land. Individuals can register a complaint with council regarding unkempt properties.
Early morning briefing regarding Village entry signage
Village entrance signage: Margie will check with council if they can take ownership of the proposed location from National Parks. If not possible, Nick Dametto has agreed to appeal to the appropriate State minister.
Other signage around the village: regardless of prior consultation and against Margie’s recommendations, TCC has started installing a range of signs through the village. Some are not appropriately located. Further collaboration and consultation will be sought by Margie.
Some of the community meeting participants in the hall with Cr Margie Ryder. Image supplied by Margie Ryder.
Participation in this meeting by local residents was most appreciated and we are grateful for having a local councillor who is willing to drive up our range road regardless of feeling quite unwell let alone having to manage car sickness with doses of ginger. Appreciation also for Nick Dametto meeting with Margie and the PDCA president at 9am to discuss improving the Paluma Village entry signage. Nick is one ‘ever-ready bunny’ and doesn’t suffer car sickness as he truly enjoyed his motorbike ride up the range road to meet with us.
Margie has noted the tropical BBQ on December 9th in her calendar and our next community meeting will be around this time, if not earlier.
