Category: Community Noticeboard

Reminder: St. Patricks Day Celebrations, Saturday 14 March

St. Patrick’s Day celebrations come early to Paluma as the real St Patrick’s Day is March 17. We are pre-empting the day and celebrating on Saturday 14 March at the Community Hall.  

The usual ‘bring a plate to share’ applies and if it is somewhat Irish, so much the better. The event will commence at 6.30 PM and the wearing of green is obligatory!

The bar will be open with the usual stock and a limited supply of Guinness in tins for those who want to get really Irish.

If you  have a few Irish jokes bring them along – Les will probably have a couple too.  A fun night is planned, so do come along !

Job Vacancy – CASUAL RELIEF COOK

Paluma Environmental Education Centre

Ref: PEEC 2020-01

The Paluma Environmental Education Centre currently has an employment opportunity for a Casual Relief Cook.

If you are interested in applying, please contact our administration office on

(07) 4772 9555 or admin@palumaeec.eq.edu.au to obtain an application package.

Successful applicants must make application for, and be able to obtain, a suitability card from Blue Card Services.

Closing date:

Friday, 20 March 2020

PDCA – Notice of Annual General Meeting & Call for nominations

Members (and prospective members) are advised that the Annual General Meeting of the Paluma & District Community Association Inc. will be held on:

Saturday March 21, 2020 at 12pm for a BBQ lunch followed by the AGM at 1pm in the Community Hall

Nominations are open for all Executive Committee positions. Nominations should be forwarded to the Secretary to arrive no later than Friday, March 6th 2020. Please use the nomination forms, which can be downloaded here.

Positions are:

  • President, 
  • 1 or 2 Vice-Presidents
  • Secretary
  • Treasurer
  • General Committee members (numbers flexible)  

Members are reminded that Annual Subscriptions are now due and should be paid prior to the commencement of the AGM.   Membership is available in two classes, these being  Ordinary & Family. All classes attract the same subscription fee of $40.00 Please use the subscription form here to submit your dues. New members are more than welcome and should use the same form.

Please note that you must be a PDCA member to nominate someone to the Committee or vote for any Committee member.

The AGM will be followed immediately by a normal General Meeting with with the new Committee.

AGM AGENDA

  1. Opening – circulation of attendance sheet
  2. Apologies
  3. Minutes of previous AGM April 20th, 2019
  4. President’s Report
  5. Treasurer’s report
  6. Election of Officers for 2020-2021
  7. Election of Auditor for 2020-2021
  8. Close of Annual General Meeting

Normal General Meeting Agenda

Normal General Meeting Agenda

  1. Open General Meeting
  2. Proposed Events/Fund-raising for the coming year
  3. Any other business
  4. Close of General Meeting

Range Road works update

Good afternoon everyone,

Please find below the Department of Transport and Main Roads finalised program for the investigation and surveying works occurring on Mount Spec Road from Monday 24 February to Friday 6 March 2020. TMR have consulted with businesses and residents to develop a schedule that best reflects the needs of the community while still allowing for these works to be undertaken safely.

Geotechnical Investigations (Drilling works):

Monday 24 February to Thursday 27 February 2020

Work hours: 7pm – 5am (Night Works).

Traffic changes: A full road closure is required during works (Emergency vehicles excepted).

Surveying works: Monday 24 February to Friday 6 March 2020

Weekdays only (Monday to Friday)

Work hours – 6am to 5pm (see breakdown below).

6am – 9am: Stop/go traffic controllers will be on site to direct traffic through the works site. Maximum wait time for motorists < 30 seconds.

9am – 3pm: Changed Traffic Conditions. Speed restrictions in place. Traffic Controllers in place. Delays of up to 90 minutes.

TMR has liaised with businesses in the Paluma area to confirm anticipated times of travel through the works site. The consultant conducting the works has been provided this timetable to ensure minimal delays to motorists travelling at these times. Any unscheduled trips can expect delays of up to 90 minutes. Businesses and residents should contact TMR on the details below for further information.

3pm – 5pm: Stop/go traffic controllers will be on site to direct traffic. Maximum wait time for travellers < 30 seconds.

Little Crystal Creek will remain open during the works.

TMR thanks you for your patience and understanding while these works are being completed. Should you have any further queries or would like to discuss any aspect of these works, please do not hesitate to contact me on 1800 625 648.

Kind Regards

Meghan

Customer and Stakeholder Management (Northern) | North Queensland Region
Program Delivery And Operations | Infrastructure Management & Delivery Division |

Department of Transport and Main Roads

Floor 6 | Townsville Government Office Building | 445 Flinders Street | Townsville Qld 4810
PO Box 1089 | Townsville Qld 4810
P: 1800 625 648 | F: (07) 4421 8711
E: engagement.northern@tmr.qld.gov.au
W: www.tmr.qld.gov.au

ATTENTION: TMR Range Road Update

This email is to advise that the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) will be undertaking geotechnical investigations on Mount Spec Road from Monday 17 February through to Friday 6 March 2020.

Traffic changes and road closures will be in place during these works. Please see details below.

Services Location works: 

Monday 17 February 2020

Work hours: 10.30am to 3pm.

Traffic changes: Stop/go traffic controllers will be in place on either end of the work zone to allow traffic through works site –  all traffic (including visitors) will be allowed through the works zone.

Geotechnical Investigations (Drilling works):

Sunday 23 February to Thursday 27 February 

Work hours: 7pm – 5am (Night Works). 

Traffic changes: A full road closure is required during works. No traffic will be allowed through the works zone during these times (Emergency vehicles expected).  

Surveying works: Monday 24 February to Friday 6 March

Weekdays only (Monday to Friday)

Work hours – 6am to 5pm (see breakdown below).

6am – 9am:  Stop/go traffic controllers will be on site to direct traffic. Maximum wait time for travellers < 30 seconds.

Tour group bookings and local residents only will be allowed through the works zone.

9am – 3pm:  Full Road Closure – Tour groups, buses and residents ONLY will be let through, timing based on information provided. Residents should contact TMR on the details below for further information.

3pm – 5pm: Stop/go traffic controllers will be on site to direct traffic. Maximum wait time for travellers < 30 seconds.

Tour group bookings and local residents only will be allowed through the works zone.

A full road closure will be in place for all other visitors. Visitors will be directed to turn around at Little Crystal Creek bridge. Little Crystal Creek will remain open during the works. 

Should you have any questions regarding the above information, please do not hesitate to contact me on the details below.

Meghan

Customer and Stakeholder Management (Northern) | North Queensland Region
Program Delivery And Operations | Infrastructure Management & Delivery Division |

Department of Transport and Main Roads

Floor 6 | Townsville Government Office Building | 445 Flinders Street | Townsville Qld 4810
PO Box 1089 | Townsville Qld 4810
P: 1800 625 648 | F: (07) 4421 8711
E: engagement.northern@tmr.qld.gov.au
W: www.tmr.qld.gov.au

Notice of Range Road Closures (February-March 2020)

The Department of Transport and Main Roads has notified us that it will be conducting surveying works on Mount Spec Road, approximately mid-February through to early March. These works include full lane closures, likely from 9am to 3pm.

For further information contact:

Megan

Customer and Stakeholder Management (Northern) | North Queensland Region
Program Delivery And Operations | Infrastructure Management & Delivery Division | Department of Transport and Main Roads
Floor 6 | Townsville Government Office Building | 445 Flinders Street | Townsville Qld 4810
PO Box 1089 | Townsville Qld 4810
P: 1800 625 648 | F: (07) 4421 8711
E: engagement.northern@tmr.qld.gov.au
W: www.tmr.qld.gov.au

Cyclone Season Preparation

Memories of the 2019 February inundation and the subsequent isolation of Paluma and communities to the west will be with us for years. These memories should prompt all of us living in the area to consider carefully how we prepare for the coming wet season.

The best way to start this years’ preparation is to visit the Queensland Government website www.getready.qld.gov.au. The site addresses preparation for a range of disasters that could affect Queensland. Cyclone, storm damage & fires are the most relevant to our area.  It also lists a number of disaster related apps. Another useful website is www.disaster.townsville.qld.gov.au

Cyclones & extreme rainfall events

The get ready website suggests being prepared for 3 days of self-sufficiency. This may be adequate for the lowlands, but may prove inadequate for Paluma to Hidden Valley communities.  If a high category cyclone crosses the coast anywhere near Townsville, Paluma to Hidden Valley problems are likely to be well down the priority list.

Plan for the worst – what if.

  1. All access roads to the area closed for ten (?) plus days
  2. Prolonged loss of the electricity grid supply.
  3. Eventual loss of landline & mobile phone communication due loss of power to the Telstra site.
  4. Damage to Townsville Water infrastructure resulting in unreliable water supply.
  5. Structural damage to your private residences forcing evacuation to temporary accommodation.

If you work through the three steps of the Have a Plan section of the get ready website you should be covered for most things. However they don’t mention backup generators & standby gas cooking equipment or the associated fuel & gas.

For anyone without internet access the following checklist covers some of the things to consider.

Insurance

Check currency & adequacy.

Basic supplies

  1. Enough food for the whole household including pets. If you have no generator backup for you refrigerator then stick mainly to non-perishable food. (dried or tinned)
  2. Adequate supplies of prescription medication plus cold & flu tablets, pain killers etc.
  3. Toiletries.
  4. Adequate clothing for everyone for the duration.
  5. Extra bed linen & towels.
  6. Sturdy gloves.
  7. Wet weather gear.
  8. Allow 3 litres of bottled water per person per day. Alternatively a small rainwater tank with water purification tablets from chemist/camping stores. Without power electrical appliances will not be able to boil water for safety.
  9. Important documents & a backup hard drive.
  10. Up to date first aid kit.
  11. Adequate generator fuel & gas for backup cooking equipment. Those on solar off grid systems should consider how much fuel they may need if the solar array is damaged.
  12. Spare batteries for torches/radios.
  13. Sturdy waterproof containers for food, clothes, medication, phones etc.

Communications

  1. The Telstra site has a backup generator but no external fuel tank suggesting it is only designed for short term power interruptions. There may also be batteries in the equipment hut. So landline & mobile phones may continue to work for some time after a power failure & then shut down. Suggest it wise to make any important phone calls or emails as soon as possible after the event.
  2. For landline phones a non 240v phone is best.
  3. Have an alternate way of charging mobile phones & tablets without mains power.
  4. Will your mobile phone work at the Star Valley or McClelland’s’ lookouts.
  5. Battery radio.

Equipment

  1. Generator –tested/serviced.
  2. Backup gas cooking equipment (BBQ) if you only have an electric stove.
  3. Alternative lighting.

Evacuating you house due structural damage.

Extra things that should be considered for an evacuation kit include bedding (sleeping bags, inflatable mattresses & pillows), reading material & games, cash.

If you are not going to be in the Paluma area.

  1.  Ensure anyone occupying your house is aware of the above suggestions.
  2. Clean out your fridge & freezer
  3. Consider supplying a neighbour with a key & your contact details so they can access your property to check for damage & report to you.

Charlie Allen, Mt Spec SES

Vale Stafford Browne

We are deeply saddened to report the recent passing of Stafford Browne, long-time resident of Hussey Road, Paluma. Stafford, best known to his Paluma friends and family as ‘Staff’ passed away on 11 December 2019. He will be fondly remembered this week at a private ‘Celebration of Life’ in Townsville. Our loving thoughts and sincere condolences are extended to Merle and the family in their great loss.

Reminder: Tropical BBQ on Saturday 7 December

As the year draws to a close don’t forget the last event on the Paluma social calendar will be held on Saturday 7 December. The annual Tropical BBQ will be held at the Community Hall.

The Bar will be open from 6.30 pm with low cost beverages on sale.

Please bring along:- Your choice of meat for the BBQ and a plate of food to share – nibbles, salad or a sweet dish.

Most of all, bring along your good cheer and Christmas spirit. See you there.