PDCA AIMS
Our Association aims to develop and enhance Paluma as a wonderful place to live or visit. We recognise Paluma’s unique status as the southern gateway to the World Heritage Wet Tropics rainforests and a cool refuge from the summer heat down on the coast. By joining, you can help define Paluma’s future and help support the PDCA executive to:
- Represent the views of Paluma residents to local, state and federal authorities
- Seek funding for events and facilities infrastructure that will enhance the village
- Liaise with relevant authorities to ensure that maintenance or roads, and other key facilities is undertaken in a timely and effective manner
- Keep residents informed about ongoing and upcoming issues that may affect Paluma and its unique assets
PDCA Achievements/Activities
Lobbying local and state government to achieve more favourable policies or better facilities around Paluma
- Strongly opposed proposal to re-open Paluma Dam for motorized boats
- Extended campaign to improve quality of drinking water in Paluma
- Joint meeting with TCC and Transport & Main Roads to discuss need for more coordinated clearing of roadside vegetation, effective management of road closures
- Holding various community meeting to discuss important issues and to communicate to local government
- Key outcomes include:
- Council decided not to pursue the opening of the dam for motorboats
- Sealing of initial part of Hussey Road
- More timely maintenance of Paluma Dam road potholes and erosion ditches
- Paluma Water issues and new water treatment plant -– resulted in commissioning of a new $300,000 water treatment facility in 2018
- Agreement with TMR to include significant upgrades to the Range Road in the next budget for major road works
- Installation of rubbish bins at Crystal Ck. Picnic Ground and additional bins in the Village Green – TCC liaison.
- Repair of Loop Rd. retaining wall by TCC
- TCC funded free Wi Fi facility at hall/Village Green
- Liaison with TCC re design and equipment choice for new playground and moving the footprint out of the PDCA lease area.
- TCC installation of a new technology sewerage system at public toilets in Village Green- PDCA campaigning to overcome leakage issues.
- Re-siting of the public playground to ensure it was not on PDCA leased land, thus avoiding a liability issue
- TCC resurfacing of bitumen road from village to Dam turn-off
Successful applications for funding for new facilities
- New Telstra mobile phone tower – 2018
- Contributions for funding of the new Community Hall extension obtained from Qld Gaming Commission ((Through the Paluma Rural Fire Brigade)
- Grant for the establishment of the Paluma History Display
- Grant for Replacement of hall chairs and gallery fittings.
Activities that improve village facilities or enhance community coherence amongst residents or provide important target activities for visitors
- Contribution of $23,000 from PDCA fund raising activities towards cost of hall extension from past PDCA
- Various social evenings/meals throughout the year
- Quarterly publication of “Turkey Talk”
- Paluma Garden Competition
- Regular Sunday markets and BBQ
- Paluma History Display most Tuesdays
- Making the hall available for external hire by relevant groups
- Assisting with successful signature events such as the annual Paluma Push and Dam Good Run
- Establishment of the “Trees in Memory” grove on the village green, together with memorial stone
- Signage for the Andreé Griffin Track and official launch
- Bruce Plant Memorial function at the Community Hall and the Plant Memorial stone installation and Service. Assisted by a RAAF grant and donations
- Art Exhibitions promoting local and district artists
- Liaison with National Parks re refurbishment of Crystal Ck. Picnic area and McClelland Lookout facilities and maintenance of existing walking tracks
- Promoting Paluma through regular posts on Paluma.org and providing additional resources through our members only pages
- Organizing working bees to help maintain the Community Hall and surrounding grounds
- Installation of the PDCA Honour Board in the Community Hall
Future Plans
With continued support from PDCA memberships and community volunteers, the PDCA hopes to achieve even more in the next 1-2 years. Current projects in various stages of conceptual development include:
- Enhancement of roadside verges with plantings of appropriate species that showcase Paluma’s unique climate
- Creation of new garden beds and hedges around the Community Hall
- Development of enhanced signage and interpretation along local walking tracks
- Construction of a walking loop and viewing platforms along around the village weir to highlight the various flora and fauna (including platypus, water dragons, rainbow fish and key flowering plants)
- Development of a new annual or biennial event(s) that incorporates elements of previous events such as the Paluma Rainforest Festival, Ephemera in the Mist and Paluma Art Exhibition etc.