ENGINEERING SERVICES HIGHLIGHTS AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES REPORT

– MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY AND MARCH 2012

Author: DIRECTOR ENGINEERING SERVICES

Purpose

To review Engineering Services Department highlights and significant issues for the months ending

February and March 2012.

Background and Discussion

Highlights and Significant Issues for the period are as follows: -

ENGINEERING SERVICES MANAGEMENT

Coordination of project meetings, briefings and reports on the following projects:

Meetings held to discuss Dog Off Leash project

Attended onsite inspections with Cr Walker at Blacks Beach

Attended the Community Resilience Reference Group meeting in Brisbane

Involved with Commonwealth Inspectorate Visit

Inspections at Eungella and Finch Hatton

Discussions held regarding the Seaforth Beach Plan

Attended interviews for appointing four Deputy Local Controller's

Attended the LDMG meeting

Attended the Community Liaison Meeting with Midge Point residents

On-going involvement in the following areas:

City Focus Advisory Committee, Corporate Projects Committee Meeting, Sustainable Futures

Advisory Committee, Rural Affairs Advisory Committee, Whitsunday Regional Roads Group

Technical Group, LGEG Meeting, Natural Environment Advisory Committee, Resilience Steering

Group Meeting.

Safe Plan, Design and Construct Review Meetings and SES matters

Engineering Services Program Managers meetings

CIVIL PROJECTS

Works have been completed on the following projects:

DAY LABOUR

Alberta Street Shoulder Work

Baxter Drive Footpath

Boundary Road Milton Street Upgrade

Farleigh Habana Road

CONTRACTS

There was some significant rainfall during March which considerably slowed progress on construction

works on most projects

Hague Street Drain Culvert Replacement – East Mackay

Works have been substantially completed on the following projects:

DAY LABOUR

Casey Avenue Drainage at Bridge Road

Traffic Facility works at various locations Beaconsfield and Eimeo

LATM works various locations

Baxter Drive Footpath

Boundary Road Milton Street Upgrade

Holland Shakespeare Footpath

Hampden State School Road

Archibald Street Drainage Upgrade

Tennyson Street between Victoria and Alfred Street

Ergon Lighting Upgrades

Holts Road at Woodward

CONTRACTS

2009 Flood Saturation Damage Restoration Package 905

Cell 2 Hogans Pocket

The following projects are in progress:

DAY LABOUR

Holts Road at Pioneer Street

Holts Road at Woodwards Road

Temples Lane off Cowleys Road

Cowleys Road culvert

Dalrymple Road

Archibald Street Drainage upgrade

Shakespeare Footpath

Grendon Street Footpath

CONTRACTS

SES Campwin Beach

Eton Hack & Pony Club Access Ramp

2010 & 2011 Flood Saturation Restoration

Hill End Road Reconstruction

Medowlands Botanic Garden Sound Shell Construction

Landfill Bayersville, Capping and Remediation Project

Rosewood Drive Construction – Federal Funding

Holts Road Culvert Upgrade

2010 Flood Saturation Package 1002

Branscombe Road Reconstruction – FLOOD 2010

North Mackay Levee Construction Stage 1B/2

Park, Paradise & Porter Streets Reconstruction

Grasstree Beach Road – 3.95 to 4.2km including Bikeway

Grasstree Beach Road, Grasstree Beach

The following projects have been awarded:

CONTRACTS

Connors Road Reconstruction

The following projects have been put to tender:

CONTRACTS

Mangrove Road & Fernleigh Avenue Reconstruction

Crediton Loop Road Reconstruction

CIVIL OPERATIONS

Maintenance Grading in the following areas:

Heavy Grading Treveys Road, Middle Creek Road and Ventons Road.

Formation Grading Bee Creek, Moohins Road, J Johnson’s Road, Neilsen-Omands

Road, Cathay Creek Road, Chelman’s Road, Snake Road, Pace’s

Road, Crawford Road and Insch Road, Trevies Road, Johnson’s

Road, Muller’s Road, Devils Pool Road, Mt. Martin Loop Road,

Allandale Road, Jacksons Road, N Lambs Road, Jones’ Road.

Temporary Gravel Road

Repairs (Grading &

Gravelling)

Balberra Road – Walz Road, Luscombe – Heads Road, Omands –

Nelsons Road, Crebers Road, Vella’s Road, Smithcross Road,

Barkley Street and Borgs Road, Leichhardt Road.

Shoulder Grading Paul Burger Road and Doyle’s Road, Devereux Creek Road.

Submergence Repairs (Job

no. 1712)

Hopfs Sawmill Road, McLean’s Road, Turners Access Road, Ching

Creek Road Neilsen-Omands Road and Niddoes Gap Road,

Walkerston Home Bush Road, Hannan’s Road.

Submergence Repairs -

2010 Rain Event (1716)

Newbury – Mt. Vince Road – Hannans Road – Coles Access Road –

Munburra Road – Walkerston – Homebush Road and Proves Road,

Cameron’s Road.

Pavement Repairs

Heavy Patching –

Pavement Repairs

Griffiths Road.

Special Works:

Footpath repairs – Gordon Street, Mengel Street, Sydney Street, Hansen Drive and Gorman Street, Creese

Street, Pratt Street, Sydney Street, Victoria Street, Crowley Road, Robinson Avenue, Milton Street,

Cameron’s Road, Peel Street, Goldsmith Street, Bannister Street,

Sign & Guidepost repairs – Stanford’s Road, Ron Searle Drive,

Guard Rail Repairs – Stanford’s Road,

Guard Rail Repairs – Stanford’s Road

Bridge Works – Nielsen’s – Omand’s Road Bridge, Pinnacle Road Bridge, Station Creek Bridge, Walker

Finn Bridge, Dunwood – Lumburra Road Bridge.

Culvert, Pipe & Catchpit repairs – McEwen’s Beach Road and Mt. Martin Loop Road, Pit Repairs Ethel

Court, Pit Repairs Bedford Road & Louden Street, Kowari Gorge Road, Old Hamden Road, Graffunder

Road.

Kerb & Channel repairs – Enterprise Street, Gordon Street, Aura Street, Scanlon Street, Pinnacle area and

Gakowski’s Road, Keeley's Road, Blackall Court, Casuarina Street, Crossover Slabs Glenpark Street, Norris

Street, East Gordon, Warland Street, Hunter Street, Holland Street.

Water Services - Trench Patching – Nil.

Street and Gutter Collection – Pugsley Street, Casey Avenue and Shakespeare Street.

Suck-ins, Dig-outs & Scours – Christine’s Way, Malcomson Street.

Special Works – Installation of signage to boom gates.

Line Marking – City Centre and Walkerston.

Street Sweeping (Programmed works) – North Side, Slade Point and City Centre.

Pothole Patching:

Fosters Road, Eton Area, Victoria Plains Area, Sandiford Area, Balberra Area, Munburra Area, Bruce

Highway South, Victoria Street, Ness Street, Streeter Avenue, Evans Street, Stevenson Street, Milton Street,

Temples Lane, Hamilton Street, Golflinks Road, Eaglemount Road, Eimeo Road, Carl Street, Kemis Street,

Cahill Crescent, Arana Drive, Harris Street, Beaconsfield Road, Glenpark Street, Willits Road, James Croker

Drive, Boundary Road, Mauls Road, Dunrock Road, Churchill Avenue, Marlborough Street, Binnington

Street, River Street, Archibald Street, Sydney Street, Risley Parade, Mackay City area, George Street,

Shakespeare Street, Sophia Street, Creek Street, Anne Street, High Street, Pitkin Street, McColl Street,

Campbell’s Ridge Road, Chelona Sandiford Road, Bernborough Street, Pleystowe School Road, Gordon

Street, Wellington Street, Casey Avenue, Lambrook Court, Old Pleystowe School Road, Schuman’s Road,

Eungella Road, Chelman’s Road, Cathay Creek Road, Warland Street, Chauvel Street, Puglsey Street,

Mangrove Road, Horse and Jockey Road, Brisbane Street, Atkinson Street, Gordon Street, Carlyle Street,

Paradise Street, Graffunder Street, George Street, Connors Road, Holland Street, Goldsmith Street, Kippen

Street, Schmidtkes Road, Gregory Street, Stockroute Road, Petrie Street, Bridge Road, Calen area, Midge

Point, Yalboroo and Mirani area, Eimeo Area, Glenella Area, Mt Pleasant Area, Erakala Area, Shoal Point

Installation of Road Closed Signage - Beaconsfield Road boom gates

Area, Blacks Beach Area, Gregory Street, Stockroute Road, Peri Road, Gordon Street, Bridge Road,

McEwen’s Beach Road, Milton Street, Masottis Road, Black Street, O’Keefe Street, Commercial Avenue,

Warland Street, Mangrove Road, Victoria Street, Shakespeare Street, Sydney Street, Boundary Road,

Hansen Street, Calrossie Road, Ooralea area, Hills Road, Palm’s Road, Gibson Road, Hansen Road,

Marlborough Street, Langdon Lumburra road, Eungella Road,

Drainage Maintenance: Greenmount area – Dunrock area – Palm tree Road – Balberra Area, Mezzens’s Road, North Side Drains,

South Side Drains, Niddoes Gap Road, Narpi Road, Dougherty’s Road, Cathu – O’Connell Road – Bogga

Road and Kowari – Gorge Road, Kelly’s Road.

Mowing & Slashing: Pleystowe area, Greenmount area, Marian area, Victoria Plains area, Eton area, Homebush area, Bakers

Creek area, Munburra area, Oakenden area, Midge Point area, Bloomsbury area, Yalboroo area, Eimeo Area,

Bucasia Area, Doyle’s Road, Griffiths Road, Hampden Area, Pym’s Road, The Leap area, Balberra Area,

Homebush Area, McEwen’s Beach Area

MAIN ROADS MAINTENANCE – RMPC CONTRACT:

Culverts & Drainage

Peak Downs Highway, Mackay – Eungella, Gargett - Mia Mia, Mackay – Habana, Yakapari – Seaforth,

Mackay – Eungella, Yakapari – Habana, Sarina Coast.

Litter on Road Reserve

Bruce Highway (North) - Showgrounds to Whitsunday boundary.

Pavements

Bruce Highway (South) -Patching of potholes on bridge and overpass, as required.

Bruce Highway (South) -Patching of potholes, various locations, as required.

Bruce Highway (North) - Patching of potholes, various locations, as required.

Bruce Highway (North) - Patching of potholes, various locations, as required.

Bruce Highway (North) - Patching of potholes, various locations, as required

Marlbrough – Sarina - Patching of potholes, various locations, as required.

Eton – Homebush - Patching of potholes, various locations, as required.

Maraju – Yakapari - Patching of potholes, various locations, as required.

Mackay – Eungella - Patching of potholes, various locations, as required.

Mackay – Eungella - Patching of potholes, various locations, as required.

Marian – Eton - Repairs to damaged pavement caused by dropped implement.

Mackay – Habana - Patching of potholes, various locations, as required.

Patching repairs – Connors Road – March Rain Event

Sarina Coast - Patching of potholes, various locations, as required.

Hay Point - Patching of potholes, various locations, as required.

Yakapari – Seaforth - Patching of potholes and edge breaks, various locations, as required.

Yakapari – Habana - Patching of potholes, various locations, as required.

Mackay – Bucasia - Patching of potholes, various locations, as required.

Bruce Highway (South) - Patching of potholes, as required.

Marlbrough – Sarina - Patching of potholes, pavement failures and edge breaks, various locations, as

required.

Rockleigh - North Mackay - Patching of potholes, various locations, as required.

Gargett - Mia Mia - Repairs to pavement failures, pothole and edge breaks, various locations, as required.

Bruce Highway (South) - Roadside sweeping, as required.

Bruce Highway (North) - Roadside sweeping, as required.

Mackay Bypass - Roadside sweeping, as required.

Mackay - Slade Point - Roadside sweeping, as required.

Mackay - Slade Point - Sweeping of kerb & channel and round about to remove grass.

Peak Downs Highway - Call out to remove rubbish from roadway.

Peak Downs Highway - Police request to remove rubbish and bins from road, between Drapers siding and

Eton.

Mackay – Eungella - Request by Police for Council officer to attend Shadforths project site.

Marian – Eton - Police request to close road due to flooding.

Sarina Coast - Response to emergency call out in January 2012.

Mackay - Slade Point - Clean up of oil spill on roadway.

Road Furniture

Bruce Highway (North) Palm Tree Creek Rest Area Rest area servicing - February 2012.

Shoulders

Gargett – Mia Mia - Access to old Septimus School to intersection Head-Menkins Road.

Yakapari – Habana - Intersection Haber’s Road to intersection Mezzen Road.

Unsealed Road Repairs

Gargett - Mia Mia, Yakapari – Habana, Gargett - Mia Mia, Yakapari – Habana, Mt Ossa – Seaforth.

Vegetation Maintenance

Mackay – Bucasia - Intersection Baster Drive to cane railway crossing - Clean & Remove grass from

concrete medians.

Bruce Highway (South) - Isaac boundary to Showgrounds - Slashing of roadside vegetation, as required.

Redplay Contractors.

Koumala – Bolingbroke - Intersection Bruce Highway to intersection Marlborough-Sarina Road - Slashing

of roadside vegetation, as required. Redplay Contractors.

Maraju – Yakapari - Intersection Bruce Highway (Nth Mackay) to intersection Bruce Highway (The Leap) -

Slashing of shoulders and turn outs, as required.

Mackay – Habana - Intersection Mackay-Bucasia Road to intersection Yakapari-Habana Road - Slashing of

shoulders and turn outs, as required.

Sarina Coast - Intersection Bruce Highway to intersection Owen Jenkins Drive - Slashing of roadside

vegetation, as required. Redplay Contractors.

Hay Point Intersection Bruce Highway to BHP access - Slashing of roadside vegetation, as required.

Redplay Contractors.

Yakapari – Seaforth Intersection Bruce Highway to Palm Avenue - Slashing of shoulders and turn outs, as

required.

Yakapari – Habana - Intersection Yakapari-Seaforth Road to intersection Farleigh-Habana Road - Slashing

of shoulders and turn outs, as required.

Mackay – Bucasia - Intersection Bruce Highway to end - Slashing of shoulders and turn outs, as required.

Eimeo Intersection Mackay-Bucasia Road to End -Slashing of shoulders and turn outs, as required.

Mackay - Slade Point Showground to lamberts Beach Lookout access - Mowing of shoulders & turnouts, as

required.

Bruce Highway (South) - Rosella Store to Showgrounds - Mowing of medians and turnouts, as required.

February 2012.

Bruce Highway (North) - Showgrounds to Farleigh-Habana Road intersection - Mowing of medians and

turnouts, as required. February 2012.

Rockleigh - North Mackay - Riverside Drive to Malcomson Street - Mowing of medians and turnouts, as

required.

Mackay – Bucasia - Intersection Bruce Highway to intersection Eimeo Road - Mowing of medians and

turnouts, as required.

Mackay - Slade Point - Showgrounds to Harbour Road roundabout - Mowing of medians and turnouts, as

required.

Bruce Highway (North) - Showgrounds to Ron Camm Bridge - Mow over batters with Possi Track, as

required.

Peak Downs Highway Cowley’s Road intersection - Clearing with Mulch head excavator, as required.

Bruce Highway (South) Intersection Sarina Coast Road to intersection Lagoon Street -Herbicide spraying of

guide posts, sign posts, medians, etc, as required. Contractor - Graejac.

Mackay – Habana - Intersection Mackay-Bucasia Road to intersection Yakapari-Habana Road - Herbicide

spraying of guide posts, sign posts, medians, etc, as required. Contractor - Graejac.

Yakapari – Habana - Intersection Yakapari-Seaforth Road to intersection Farleigh-Habana Road - Herbicide

spraying of guide posts, sign posts, medians, etc, as required. Contractor - Graejac.

Mackay – Bucasia -Intersection Bruce Highway to End - Herbicide spraying of guide posts, sign posts,

medians, etc, as required. Contractor - Graejac.

Mackay - Slade Point Showgrounds to Lamberts Beach Lookout access - Herbicide spraying of guide posts,

sign posts, medians, etc, as required. Contractor - Graejac.

Mackay Bypass - Lagoon Street Garden Beds & Retaining Wall - Maintenance of garden beds (including

weeding, mowing, herbicide spraying, plant pruning & removal of rubbish), as required.

Rockleigh - North Mackay - Kenzey Street to Malcomson Street - Maintenance of garden beds and

plantings, etc.

Rockleigh - North Mackay - Kenzey Street to Malcomson Street - Maintenance of garden beds (including

weeding, mowing, herbicide spraying, plant pruning & removal of rubbish), as required.

Mackay - Slade Point - Forgan Bridge to Palmer Street - Maintenance of garden beds and plantings, etc.

Mackay - Slade Point - Forgan Bridge to Palmer Street - Maintenance of garden beds (including weeding,

mowing, herbicide spraying, plant pruning & removal of rubbish), as required.

Bruce Highway (South) - Isaac boundary to Showgrounds - Spraying of Giant Rats Tail grass (GRT) &

Parthenium. Contractor: Graejac

Bruce Highway (North) - Intersection Marian-Hampden Road to Hampden School Spraying of

Leuceana, at Hampden. Contractor: Graejac

Bruce Highway (North) - Showgrounds to intersection Mirani-Mt Ossa Road - Declared plant spraying.

Contractor: Graejac

Peak Downs Highway Isaac boundary to City Gates Declared plant spraying. Contractor: Graejac.

Marlbrough – Sarina - Isaac Boundary to Sarina - Spraying of Giant Rates Tail grass (GRT). Contractor:

Graejac

Mackay – Eungella - Intersection Peak Downs Highway to Intersection Newberry-Mt Vince Road Spraying

and removing seed head of Giant Rats Tail grass (GRT).

Gargett - Mia Mia - 100km/hs LHS to Frank Neilsen Bridge - Spraying and removal of seed heads of Giant

Rats Tail grass (GRT).

Mirani Mt Ossa - Intersection Mt Martin Loop Road to intersection Langdon-Lumburra Road Spraying of

Giant Rats Tail grass (GRT).

Mt Ossa – Seaforth - Intersection Bruce Highway to intersection Yakapari-Seaforth Road Spraying of Giant

Rates Tail grass (GRT). Contractor: Graejac

Yakapari – Seaforth - Intersection Bruce Highway to Seaforth - Spraying of Giant Rates Tail grass (GRT).

Contractor: Graejac

Queensland Transport – Boat Ramp Maintenance

Mackay small boat public pontoon repairs - replacement of damaged pontoon components and connection

joints.

Quarry Operations

Materials were extracted during the month of February from the following quarry operations:

Bezzina = 997 cubic metres

Eton = 9720

Hazelwoods-Mirani = 6408

Larsens = 5778

Mt Ossa-Seaforth = 10024

Omands-Mirani = 7805

Tecon Gap = 918

Mt. Ossa – Seaforth = 534

Hoffman’s Pit = 3848

Buggy Bend = 12940

NDRRA Restoration Works

Inspectors Appointed by the Authority to monitor and assist MRC:

On the 1 March 2012 the Authority advised that they had appointed a Liaison Officer for the north region

including Mackay. They had been previously the Liaison Officer for central region looking after

Rockhampton to Blackall.

Council has been advised that Projectis would be appointed as Inspectors for MRC.

Projectis arrived in Mackay on the 5 March 2012 and conducted a random inspection of works over a two

day period. Future inspections /audits will be based on roads selected by the Authority from the form 9

report submitted monthly by MRC.

Key points arising from the inspection/audit;

Importance of form 9 and integrity of the data

Auditable trail for approval of complementary works linking back to the adopted budget

The need for structured quality systems to record variations to scope and extent

Focus on delivery of scope

Submission Two (2) 2011:

Submission Two (2) was lodged on the 28 February 2012 and we expect advice on approval within the

Authorities 40 day approval policy estimated at 24 April 2012.

Table One (1)

Items Comments

Submission 12 Resubmitted/New Designed Projects

Submission 13 Resubmitted/Non Designed Projects

Submission 14 New Specific Projects

Submission 15 Multi Site- Springs and pipe crossing failures

Total

We have received the first review comments and request for information (RFI) from the Authority on

submission 2.

The primary concerns are minor in nature with the main concern being inclusion of subsoil drains,

calculation errors in the estimates on some items, replacement of shade sails with ridged structures,

complementary works and eligibility of day labour.

Detailed responses will be sent to the Authority early April 2012.

Natural Disaster Recovery Project Status:

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2010 2011

100% 100%

77.96%

58.05%

29.57%

20.31%

Natural Disaster Recovery Project Status

Project Budget % complete-expense +contracts in progress %complete-expense

NDRRA General Business:

February 2012

Extension of Time (EoT) to June 2014 –application to be submitted by 20 March 2012.

Development of works programs for all NDRRA Projects should be complete by April 2012.

Shepherd Services assisting with audit and acquittal data collection.

Regional Program Office (RPO) project is performing satisfactory with the second claim under

BCIPA currently being processed for approximately $1,000,000.

NDRRA Team is reviewing remaining work and liaising with Civil Projects to ensure current

internal work load is maintained with the balance likely to be delivered through the RPO.

RPO – Possession of site has been given for DTMR North 5 package and preliminary possession of

site for DTMR South 1 and South 2 packages for geotechnical investigations to begin. 2 crews have

begun in last 2 weeks bringing a total of 3 full-time crews. 500 tonne of concrete used to date on the

road reconstruction.

First form 9 for 2010 and 2011 submitted to the Authority. This is a highly complex reporting

process and is a credit to all involved staff.

March 2012

All 2010/11 restoration work packages have been assigned to delivery resources either through the

RPO or internally through Civil Projects.

Shepherd Services have been engaged to coordinate the data collection and prepare the emergent and

restoration submissions for the 2012 event ‘Heavy Rainfall Flooding Northern and Far Northern

Queensland 16 March 2012’ for lodgement to the Authority.

RPO and Civil Operations Staff are currently scoping emergent works with the RPO and Shepherd

Services to scope restoration on sealed and unsealed network.

Issues and Actions:

February 2012

Appointment of Regional Liaison Officer for the North Region.

Appointment of Projectis as Mackay Regional Council Inspectors/Auditors.

Impact of pavement design on water assets and eligibility issues surrounding the replacement/

relocation costs.

March 2012

Declaration of natural disaster event ‘Heavy Rainfall Event, Northern and Far Northern Queensland

16 March 2012’ has caused significant delays with respect to delivery of 2010/11 restoration works.

Emergent Works timeframe - declaration 22 March 2012 and cessation 21 May 2012 we have

organised for all contractors that are currently engaged by Council to perform emergent works during

this period to ensure roads are returned to a safe and trafficable condition within the shortest possible

timeframe.

Eligibility of proposed emergent works repair techniques – Council has proposed insitu stabilisation

and dig out techniques to the Authority as an appropriate temporary repair technique which has been

met with some contention.

Need to identify flood sensitive zones in the urban areas that require modified process for restoration

works to ensure road reserve capacity is not reduced and crown levels are not increased causing

flooding of residences in these identified zones.

TECHNICAL SERVICES

Development and design of projects for saturation damage projects throughout the Council area for 2010

and 2011 events.

Development and design of projects within Capital Works Programme.

Consultation and detail design regarding Archibald Street (Connors to Milton) upgrading.

Consultation and detail design of the HAFF Grant project including Rosewood Drive from Mackay

Bucasia road to Chenoweth Drive including design development for works associated with Northern

Beaches Central and the Northern Beaches High School.

Detail Design associated with CBD footpath upgrades via Bluewater Trial extension from Bluewater

Quay to River Street Boat Ramp and from the boat ramp to Iluka Park via East Gordon Street.

Design and Quotations associated with Bluewater Quay shade structures and balustrades. Shelter

installation complete. Balustrade to be installed and complete mid April 2012.

Consultant commissioned for CBD Access Audits for Sarina, Walkerston, Marian and Mirani. Eric

Martin and Associates undertaken audits 9-13 December 2011. Final report due mid April 2012 with final

report to Council to follow.

Attendance at Program Managers meeting, DAM – On & Off Maintenance meetings, Reclassification

Committee, Technical Services Supervisor’s meetings, Malcomson Street Demaining with DTMR,

Council briefing for Engineering Services Department, Coastal Plan Transition Issues, Tensar Grid

Seminar, Dataworks ECM training, WRRG Technical Committee & Mackay Storm Tide study.

Various drainage investigations for assessment of maintenance and capital upgrading requirements to

address system performance issues.

GPS Base Station Network installed at Civic Centre, Koumala and Midge Point SES buildings, Mirani

Council Chambers & Eungella Maintenance Depot. All bases have now achieved Reg 13 certification.

MRC Surveyor programmed to joint test network coverage by the end of May 2012 for mobile phone

reception and accuracy relationship to DERM permanent mark Mackay area Control

Bakers Creek to Alligator Creek DCDB rectification by Terex Spatial complete and forwarded to DERM

for inclusion into DCDB. Still waiting for DERM approval.

Bloomsbury Township area DCDB upgrade commenced using in house resources

Lead role in the development of the “Active Towns” strategy.

Development of standard utility alignments and corridors for various authorities within road reserve

matching road hierarchy categories

Investigation into the effects of Coastal Plan and the coastal erosion zone on infrastructure planning

criteria including road crown levels and stormwater tailwater levels.

Liaison with DTMR over demaining of Malcomson Street, compilation of plans and estimates and

undertaking public consultation.

0 20 40 60 80

100 120 140 160 180 200

July

2008

Septe

mber

2008

Novem

ber

2008

Ja

nu

ary

20

09

Marc

h 2

009

May 2

009

July

2009

Septe

mber

2009

Novem

ber

2009

Ja

nu

ary

20

10

Marc

h 2

010

May 2

010

July

2010

Septe

mber

2010

Novem

ber

2010

Ja

nu

ary

20

11

Marc

h 2

011

May 2

011

July

2011

Septe

mber

2011

Novem

ber

2011

Ja

nu

ary

20

12

Received Requests

Aboriculture Grass Mowing

0

50

100

150

200

Au

gust

20

08

O

cto

ber

20

08

D

ecem

ber

20

08

Fe

bru

ary

20

09

A

pri

l 20

09

Ju

ne

20

09

A

ugu

st 2

00

9

Oct

ob

er 2

00

9

Dec

emb

er 2

00

9

Feb

ruar

y 2

01

0

Ap

ril 2

01

0

Jun

e 2

01

0

Au

gust

20

10

O

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ber

20

10

D

ecem

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20

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Fe

bru

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20

11

A

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11

Ju

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20

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A

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01

1

Oct

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01

1

Dec

emb

er 2

01

1

Feb

ruar

y 2

01

2

Actioned Requests

Aboriculture Grass Mowing

PARKS AND ENVIRONMENT

The Parks & Environment report for the month of February contains information on activities

undertaken throughout the month by the staff within the program.

Administration –

Parks Customer Requests

Tree-Crew – Tree crews completed the following work during the month of February:

0

50

100

150

200

Park Bookings

Park Bookings

Total

Trees

Pruned

Council Trees

Removed

Coconut

Trees

Denutted

Trees Planted

in Streetscapes

February 2012 489 60 13 9

Grass Maintenance Activities (Mackay/Western/Southern) – 671 mowing hours recorded, 1061

hours were spent whipper-snipping edges and difficult to mow areas, 54 hours litter collecting, 2

hours spent pruning and 30 hours spent poisoning.

Cemeteries

Natural Environment and Marine Beach Activities –

February 2012

Volunteer activities:

Conservation Volunteers Australia - The team spent four days in Sandfly Creek Environmental Reserve undertaking weed control, targetting

Leucaena, Guinea Grass, Rhodes Grass and Pink Periwinkle.

- Five days were spent at the Sarina Community Native Gardens site continuing weed control and mulching

work. Approximately 30 native plants were added to the collection including Dianellas, Lomandras and

native gingers.

20 beach scrub seedling were planted and weed control undertaken over two days at Louisa Creek

Reserve.

CVA volunteer hand pulling Pink Periwinkle in Volunteers planting native gingers at the

Sandfly Creek Environmental Reserve Sarina Community Native Gardens site

Weed control at the Community Native Gardens Handweeding at Louisa Creek Reserve

Community activities - Community activities included CVA-lead weekend working bees held at Sandfly Creek Environmental

Reserve and the Sarina Community Native Gardens.

- A working bee was held at Morag McNichol Reserve on Saturday 11thth February. Six friends

participated in the first event for the year by whipper snipping, hand pulling weeds and clearing a fallen

tree.

- Residents contributed to the Witness King Tides Project lead by Green Cross Australia, documenting the

king tides on 8th and 9

th February and contributing to the knowledge of areas at risk of inundation due to

sea level rise.

King tide at the Pioneer River boat ramp

A calendar of events for Mackay Coasts and Communities

Activities was developed for March to May 2012, with the first

two events scheduled for the first Saturday in March.

Activities will be held at Ball and Haliday Bays, Blacks Beach,

Bucasia, Shoal Point, Sandfly Creek and Eimeo

Natural Environment Plan implementation:

Coastal priority projects - A weed control contractor has been appointed to undertake

weed control in Keeleys Rd Wetlands and Slade Point Reserve

.

- Weed control has been completed at Finlaysons point and

Seaforth Reserves and has been started at Blacks Beach

Reserve and Ball Bay zone C.

- Plants have been ordered for Sandfly Creek Environmental

Reserve, Ball Bay and Shoal Point and will be planted in April.

Mackay

Coasts and Communities Calendar of events

Committee meetings:

Local Marine Advisory Committee - Discussions centred on the upcoming visit of the World Heritage committee to monitor development

impacts on the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area, the development of a TUMRA (Traditional Use of

Marine Resources Agreement) for the Girringun region and the issue of dredge spoil disposal in the Great

Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Mackay Regional Pest Management Group

- The committee recieved a presentation on Weeds of National Significance from DEEDI.

Healthy Waterways Alliance Ecosystems think tank - Major projects including reviewing the Water Quality Improvement Plan and identifying funding sources

for implementation. The new Water Quality Managment Plan for Mackay Whitsunday Issac is due for

release in mid 2015.

Habitat restoration activities: - The habitat restoration team has been undertaking weed control at Eulbertie Reserve, Sandfly Creek

Environmental Reserve, Blacks Beach, Slade Point Reserve, Blue River Trail, McReadys Creek Reserve,

and Janes Creek, and watering revegetation at Blacks Beach and Slade Point Reserve.

Marine Beach activities: - The marine beach teams have been undertaing weed control at Shoal Point, Bucasia, Finlaysons Point,

Campwin Beach, Sarina Beach, Louisa Creek, Perpetua Point and Grasstree Beach, repaired swimming

encolsures at Seaforth, McEwens Beach and Bucasia, repaired beach accesses at Blacks Beach and Shoal

Point, repaired fencing at Lamberts Beach, Harbour Beach, Far Beach, Town Beach, Slade Point, Cape

Hillsborough and Finlaysons Point, oiled timber stairs at Shoal Point and Grasstree Beach, removed palm

fronds and garden waste from Ball Bay, watering seedlings at Grasstree Beach, planted seedlings at

Grasstree Beach and undertook seed collection and plant propagation activities.

Environmental Ranger activities - Continued investigation of vegetation removal at various sites including Belmunda, Bucasia Campwin

Beach, Shoal Point and Blacks Beach.

- Investigation of structures and gardens on council land.

- Conducting enquiries regarding rubbish dumping issues, particularly in the Blacks Beach and Eungella

areas.

- Development of education campaigns and compliance patrols on issues such as motorbike riding in

reserves and dogs in Sandfly Creek Environmental Reserve.

- Investigation of unauthorised vehicle access to beaches and reserves.

- Follow up reports of illegal fires at various locations including Ball Bay and St Helens campground

March 2012

Volunteer activities:

Conservation Volunteers Australia - The team spent three days in Sandfly Creek Environmental Reserve undertaking weed control, targetting

Leucaena, Guinea Grass, Rhodes Grass and Pink Periwinkle.

- Four days were spent at Grasstree Beach reserve undertaking weed control, mulching and planting 100

beach scrub seedlings.

Community activities - Over a dozen volunteers attended a Coasts and Communities working bee on the morning of Saturday 3

rd

March at Ball Bay. The revegetation site was hand weeded and the native seedlings were watered and

fertillised.

- 10 people attended an afternoon working bee at Haliday Bay in Saturday 3rd

March. The main tasks were

to weed around the native plant seedlings planted last year and to make sure they were all watered and

fertilised.

- On Saturday the 24th March, approximately 20 people lent a hand at Shoal point to plant 80 beach scrub

seedlings and were rewarded with a community bbq

- 40 casuarina and hibiscus seedlings were planted by 9 volunteers at the Bucasia revegetation site near the

swimming enclosure. Over 20 bags of weeds were also collected.

- The Friends of Morag McNicol Reserve held their regular monthly working bees on Saturday March 3rd

and Saturday March 31st. Tasks included hand pulling weeds and removing guinea grass.

Volunteers handweeding at Ball Bay

Bucasia volunteers proudly show the results of Shoal Point volunteers

their weeding efforts

Natural Environment Plan implementation:

Coastal priority projects - Weed control at Keeleys Rd, Slade Point Reserve and Blacks Beach is ongoing but the wet weather in

March has delayed progress.

- Planting has started at Shoal Point near volute st and mulch continues to be delivered, but the wet weather

has meant the ground has been too wet to allow the mulch to be spread.

- Fencing work has commenced at Ball Bay (zone B) to deliniate pedestrian access tracks to the beach,

protect the frontal dune and delineate the mown area. Weed control and revegetation works will start

shortly.

Habitat restoration activities: - Work continued at the Mackay Natural Environment Centre including tree planting, fence construction,

greenhouse repairs, weeding and the installation of 40 new plant benches and associated irrigation

systems.

- Revegetation was watered at Blacks Beach and Slade Point Reserve.

- Spraying and brushcutting was undertaken at Morag McNichol Reserve, Sandfly Creek Environmental

Reserve, Blacks Beach and Jane’s Creek

- Native plants were planted at Blacks Beach

Marine Beach activities: - Fencing work was undertaken at Ball Bay and Grasstree Beach and preparations were made for fencing at

Bucasia and Shoal Point.

- Harbour Beach cleaning was undertaken, but ceased during the wet weather.

- Weed control was undertaken at Shoal Point, Ball Bay, Haliday Bay, Armstrongs Beach, Grasstree Beach.

- Planting was undertaken at Finlayson’s Point, Grasstree Beach and Campwin Beach.

- Mulch was spread at Shoal Point and Grasstree Beach

Other activities: - The Shoreline Erosion Management Plan for Midge Point was received and the process of reviewing the

document has commenced.

- Tenders were assessed for the production of a Significant Tree Register.

- Prepartations are underway for the rebuild of the Haliday Bay Swimming enclosure.

- Discussions were held with DERM regarding reviewing the Urban Crocodile Management Area mapping.

- Proposed changes to the Seaforth Beach Plan and Coastal Managemetn Guidelines were discussed with

the principal petitioner.

Traffic Signals

Traffic Signal Lamp Replacement

Traffic Signal Push Button Maintenance

Traffic Signal wide load pole lowering

Traffic Signal Re-alignment

Traffic Signal Emergency attendances

Other Electrical Work

Electrical Tool Repair

Test and Tag Inspections

Site Hut Disconnection

Site Hut Connection

Park Light Repairs

Barbeque Repairs

Building Lighting Repairs

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

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Playground Maintenance and Inspection

Operational Inspections

Visual Inspections

Play Equipment Repairs – Substantial

Play Equipment Repairs - Minor

Parks Building Services Activities –

Parks Electrical Work:

Playgrounds:

P

Built Asset Maintenance:

Public Amenities:

February

Skylight in Seaforth Swimming Enclosure Amenities removed and replaced.

New rainwater tank fitted to Teemburra Dam Amenities, the amenities also received a full repaint

inside and out.

Disabled Cubicle at Lloyd Park Amenities was painted.

Eton Amenities were fully repainted following Capital works to replace the sewer main under the

building.

Graffiti was painted out at Victor Creek Amenities and Illuka Park Amenities.

Services area covers were repaired following vandalism at Evans Av Amenities. The decision was

made to close up the amenities to public access and monitor any complaints to gauge whether these

amenities should be closed permanently.

March

Service door at Lamberts Beach Amenities was replaced due to corrosion.

Flashing on Mackay Cemetery Amenities Roof was replaced.

RCD tests to all amenities throughout the region completed.

Graffiti repaired at Quota Park and Illuka Park amenities.

Teemburra Amenities Before and After Painting

Park Furniture:

February

Four Park Bench Seats were repaired and painted at Plantation Palms.

The picnic shelter at Gooseponds, Willett’s Road, was cleaned of graffiti and repainted.

Concrete path at Anzac Park Walkerston was repaired and four bench seats rebuilt, repainted and

installed along the path.

Picnic setting at Quota Park was rebuilt.

March

Park bench seat removed and replaced at Schaefers Paddock (Dimmock Street Park).

Picnic setting repaired at Wilson Park shelter. Then furniture and shelter cleaned and painted.

Baxter St Shelter repainted and old timber table replaced.

Shade sails were repaired at Sarina Beach and Lamberts beach following heavy rain.

Park bench seat removed and replaced after being damaged by machinery.

Concrete Repairs and Refurbished Seats Anzac Park Walkerston

Other work completed:

City Heart, Blue Water Quay and Blue Water Lagoon, there was 18,000m2 of concrete path blown

down and 5,000m2 of concrete path water blasted. 340 Rubbish bin empties for the month and 70

bins cleaned. Twenty one umbrellas cleaned in the City Heart.

There were eleven bins repaired in parks for the month.

Capital Projects – The following projects are completed in February

Timber Deck Replacement Harbour Beach

New Play Equipment Northern Beaches

Eton Amenities Sewer Replacement - During Works and Completed

New Play Equipment and Shade, Koumala

ANBG Curator David Taylor and SGAP Mackay’s Irene

Champion discuss a recent redevelopment project displaying

sandstone adapted species at the ANBG.

Capital Projects – The following projects are completed in March

Six Picnic Settings - Shoal Point

Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens February -

Meadowlands:

Final building approvals occurred in February with construction works for the Meadowlands Amphitheatre

to commence in March.

Australian National Botanic Gardens Memorandum of Understanding:

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was

developed between the Australian National Botanic

Gardens (ANBG) in Canberra, the Society for

Growing Australian Plants Mackay Branch (SGAP

Mackay) and the Mackay Regional Botanic

Gardens (MRBG) to share living material and

knowledge on the high altitude taxa of Eungella

and highland areas within the region for

conservation and preservation and threatened flora.

The ANBG holds a significant collection of

rainforest species from around Australia; botanic

gardens are a refugium for threatened plants ex situ

which could be used to repopulate species back

into the wild. SGAP Mackay’s long term

knowledge and involvement with local flora of the

Mackay Region has allowed the MRBG to

develop an agreement to share knowledge and

propagules of flora from Eungella displayed at the MRBG, with the ANBG.

Part of this MOU involves hands-on knowledge sharing. SGAP Mackay secretary and Representative Irene

Champion were sponsored by the ANBG to attend a two day intensive workshop with ANBG staff in

Canberra on February 21 and 22. Irene was joined by Curator Dale Arvidsson on February 23, post a

Botanic Gardens Australia and New Zealand (BGANZ) Council meeting and toured with ANBG Curator

David Taylor to view specific elements of the ANBG’s vast living collection. Further opportunities to

develop key links with the ANBG and other botanic gardens is a key role of the MRBG to conserve and

promote the Mackay Region’s flora under the threat of predicted climate change, especially for high altitude

regions where natural relocation and establishment of this zone’s specialised flora is impossible, without

assistance.

Kenaf papers and Kenaf paper making workshop

The Curator also was hosted on a visit to the new $20 million Australian National Arboretum currently

under construction. There are many synergies with this project and the MRBG and a relationship between

the two sites was commenced.

Herbarium:

The session on February 27 was attended by two of the SGAP Team members. The main activity was

preparation of 12 months+ supply of acid-free A4 cards for mounting the MRBG duplicate specimens,

followed by mounting a backlog of collected specimens that had been through the freezing process.

Infrastructural works:

Sub-surface drainage works occurred near the railway tunnel underpass. This was to alleviate the problem of

slippery pathways caused by months of seepage from the adjacent Nebo Road overpass during the wet

season. Works were undertaken by contractor.

Visitor Services Program:

Exhibitions:

From January 17 through to February 26 the exhibition titled “Left of Centre” featuring Lysbeth Gould and

Wanda Bennett was showcased in Lagoons Gallery and Cafe. Lysbeth Gould and Wanda Bennett are two

textile artists working with plant fibres in different disciplines. Lysbeth, a paper artist and Wanda a creative

weaver joined forces to display a range of exciting works made from natural materials. Both artists

demonstrated in the MRBG on Saturday February 11 from 2.00pm to 5.00pm. Visitors to the Gardens were

invited to take part in weaving a small round orb and to try their hand at making paper from cotton, banana

or Kenaf pulps or a combination of them. The meeting room table had more than 2 dozen people jostling for

a position for a weaving experience, taking home their creations, while many people passing the paper

making trestles, including many children, participated in dredging the pulp and laying down sheets of paper.

World Wetlands Day held every year on February 2 was celebrated over three days (February 1 – 3) at the

MRBG. As a free community event, activities were organised to suit a variety of participants from young

children to adults including seniors. There were a free guided bird identification and lagoon walk, children's

story time, opportunities to view macro-invertebrate marvels display in the meeting room and teacher

information sessions to promote the MRBG as a tool for their use and to encourage participation in the

MRBG Plant-ed education program. Carolyn Thompson from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

(GBRMPA) also participated with information and reinforced Mackay Regional Council’s work as a ‘Reef

Guardian Council’. The interactive wetlands information computer kiosk supplied by GBRMPA has also

returned to the MRBG after upgrades and it was a timely return to mark World Wetlands Day.

Gardens Friends participation in a guided walk and wetlands display

World Wetlands Day displays

Gardens Friends:

The display continued to be used on Saturday February 4 when Friends of the Gardens held their first guided

walk for the year. Participants were very interested in the observation trays and tanks before learning about

the Lagoons wetlands ecosystem including plants (and exotic water weeds), birdlife and water creatures.

Visitor Services Officer Maya Harrison and the Curator presented a combined walk and talk with the Friends

members, enjoying an informative stroll from the Lagoon Lookout Deck down to the Gymnosperm Deck

and its signage of different Wetland birds concluding at the Eulamere Shelter and board walk. Identification

of water plants was easily achievable from this feature of the MRBG.

Events:

Weddings: 1 wedding occurred

Fitness: 2 personal training companies each use the grounds, 2 days per week.

Restaurant and Cafe at the lagoons patronage: 3205

eNewsletter total subscribers in February 561 (last month 554)

Website stats for February: www.mackayregionalbotanicgardens.com.au

830 people visited the website:

1,019 Visits

830 Unique Visitors

3,025 Page views

2.97 Pages/Visit

00:02:11 Avg. Time on Site

42.49% Bounce Rate

71.25% % New Visits

Top 10 pages:

1. /lagoons_cafe

2. /lagoons_cafe/menu

3. /functionsbookings/weddings

4. /photo_gallery

5. /lagoons_cafe/opening_hours

6. /functionsbookings

7. /events/events

8. /contact_us

9. /lagoons_cafe/bookings 10. /photo_gallery/photo_galleries/around_the_gardens

Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens March -

Meadowlands:

March saw the official sod turning for the

Meadowlands Amphitheatre – part of the

Outdoor Performance and Events Centre at the

Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens (MRBG).

Final site preparation occurred in March and the

piles from the amphitheatre stage were screwed

in. Rain in the second half of the month delayed

further works slightly.

Horticultural works:

Horticultural maintenance in the first half of March was assisted by the continuing dry conditions. This

changed in the latter half of the month with constant and heavy rain. Mowing, snipping, hedging and weed

control were the main focus of works, with the continuing warm conditions first postponing, then wet

conditions cancelling, extensive planting planned until April.

Gardens Friends and Volunteers:

The Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens Friends Association Inc (Gardens Friends) planting bee on March 24

was cancelled due to previous wet weather and sodden conditions, with the next planting bee scheduled for

April 28 post the Easter holidays.

The Mackay Host Lions planting bee planned for Sunday March 11was also postponed until April 15, due to

wet weather on the day.

The Society for Growing Australian Plants – Mackay Branch (SGAP Mackay) conducted a weeding bee on

Thursday March 15 in the Regional Forests Garden, removing exotic weeds and native ‘wildings’. As usual

the open forest, where more light penetrates to the ground than in the rainforest sections, required the most

attention. Overall the weeds and wildlings were not as extensive as they have been on previous occasions

and were easy to remove from the rain-soaked soil by the SGAP Mackay volunteers.

A planned planting bee on Saturday 31 March was postponed until later in the year.

Herbarium:

The session scheduled for March 26 was cancelled due to the wet weather. However, during the month a

number of sterile specimens collected from site visit to a property at Finch Hatton Gorge have been

identified, dried and entered into the Accession Register and are to become part of the MRBG reference

collection.

Visitors Services Officer:

“A Perfect Blend” exhibition was on display in the Lagoons Gallery

and Café until April 1. This was an exhibition with a unique flavour

that brought together the artwork of Karen Hurford, Natalie Field and

Cheryl Eagers. This exhibition reflected the sharing of excitement,

despair and triumph through tears and laughter over many cups of tea,

whilst they all completed their Masters in Contemporary Arts. The

Lagoons Gallery and Cafe was the perfect venue, offering the

exhibition to a wide and diverse audience in a ‘cafe’ setting appropriate

to the exhibition theme

Plant-ed

March was an extremely busy time with schools with all aspects of the Plant-ed sessions being utilised.

Schools visiting the Gardens for education sessions:

March 5, 35 year, 5 students and teachers learnt about the History of Mackay and in particular the

MRBG site’s part in that history during a guided walk of the Lagoons (Mackay’s early water

history), People of Malta’s involvement Mackay’s early settlement as well as visiting the Heritage

Gardens section and learning of the early days of Mackay’s homesteads and historic place names that

appear in the MRBG e.g. Summerlands, Cremorne, Rawson’s on the Hollow and the early Kitchen

and Richmond Mill Gardens.

March 13, 33 Prep aged children from Mackay North Primary school participated in educational

sessions learning about Living Things, observing external features of Plants and Animals as part of

the new Australian Curriculum studies. The following day was to be the 50 year 1 children of the

same school, but rain put a damper on that visit. Instead Maya visited the school the following week

March 21 via the MRBG ‘Planted Elsewhere’ outreach program with a display of Creature features,

both live, pinned and photographed specimens and information as the weather was still to damp for

the school to visit the MRBG.

March 27, 50 Year 2 children from St Joseph’s school came to the MRBG and participated in

educational sessions learning about Living things, insects and Life Cycles. The Meeting Room was

used to display all the captured live creatures, pinned specimens and accompanying pictorial

resources.

‘Tres La Di Dah’ by Karen Hurford,

a hand coloured dry-point etching

Plant-ed Outreach Program - School Visitation:

March 19, more rain - so a scheduled visit to the

MRBG by the Indigenous Child Care Practices

Group from TAFE to learn more about Bush

Tucker was rearranged with a visit to them, with

Maya taking a display of different examples of

bush tucker supported by signage used in the

MRBG and information books used by both

children and adults to share knowledge of these

interesting plants used for food, tools, medicine

and shelter. Personal stories from participants

may be included in future signage / information

about some of these plants in the future in the

MRBG.

Photos show children observing how some

seeds are dispersed by water while others are

dispersed by attaching themselves to people

and animals via hooks, sticky bits, and spikes.

March 20, the whole of Chelona School from Prep to year 7 were able to participate in learning about

Seed’s dispersal methods and the parts of and needs of plants. Wind, Ballistic, Fire and Animal

dispersal either by being eaten e.g. fruits, berries and nuts plus hooking on to animals fur or clothing

of people were also other seeds’ dispersal methods explored.

March 22, Maya once again visited with creatures and educational resources, this time to Fitzgerald

school where 4 classes of year 5 children observed and documented external creature features in

order to understand classification. Grouping things by their external features is also done in the plant

kingdom as well, using leaves, flowers, fruits etc.

On March 16 and March 23 the MRBG continued our partnership with Slade Point School with their

‘I Dream Project’ creating a Useful Plants / Bush tucker Garden including different Indigenous

cultures - Aboriginal, South Sea Islands, Torres Strait Islands and Maori. The Visitors Services

Officer and Curator has met with the school on a number of occasions prior to not only assist them,

but to benefit the MRBG by making links with local indigenous and cultural people to add our own

botanical plant stories for future interpretative signage in the cultural themed areas within the

MRBG.

March 28 - Bush Tucker information plus hands on plants parts and fruits specimens were taken to

assist 2 Classes of Year 3’s at St. Francis school learn about Indigenous people use of plants and how

they sustained themselves using plants of the Australian bush. Water Pollution and protecting the

environment was also demonstrated and discussed.

Events

Sunday in the Park on March 18 was cancelled due to wet weather.

The Events or “What’s on” page on the MRBG website has now become automatically linked to the

Council’s website, so any event we advertise is available to be seen by anyone clicking on Council’s Event

calendar.

Weddings: 3 wedding's occurred

Fitness: 1 personal training company use the grounds 2 days per week. Another uses it every day except

Sunday’s alternating Mornings and Afternoons.

Restaurant and Cafe at the lagoons patronage:

Enewsletter:

Botanic Gardens: 569 (Last month: 561)

Website stats for March: www.mackayregionalbotanicgardens.com.au

1,165 Visits

923 Unique Visitors

3,814 Pageviews

3.27 Pages/Visit

00:02:23 Avg. Visit Duration

Top 10 pages on website:

1. /lagoons_cafe/menu

2. /lagoons_cafe

3. /functionsbookings/weddings

4. /photo_gallery

5. /lagoons_cafe/opening_hours

6. /events/regular_events

7. /events/school_holidays_activities

8. /events/events

9. /what_can_i_see/visitors_information

10. /functionsbookings/meetings_and_conferences

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Community Education

The Emergency Management Section continues to support and promote community disaster awareness

education, community preparedness and resilience for disaster events.

The Community Resilience Officer has undertaken presentations to a number of community groups during

the period.

BOM Weather Warnings Received

The following warnings were received during the month:-

- 23 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings

- 2 No Threat Tsunami Warnings

- 28 Summaries of Flood Warnings

- 5 River Height SMS Alerts

- 4 Rainfall >50mm in the hour SMS Alerts

- 355mm rainfall for February and 266mm in March with heavier falls recorded within the Pioneer

Valley.

Disaster Coordination Centre

Although there was significant rainfall during the period, the DCC was not required to activate but

continuous rain and river monitoring was carried out. A significant downpour in the headwaters of Bakers

Ck on the 20th

March 2012 caused flooding to several houses in Fadden Street with no injuries recorded.

Similar falls in the headwaters of Cattle Creek on the same afternoon caused the Police to evacuate a number

of persons from the Finch Hatton show grounds as river water came to within 200mm of overtopping the

earth levee.

Work is progressing on the Guardian system with some significant achievements during the period including

resolving the logins and the dispatch of the Guardian Icons onto desktops and laptops of staff that have had

training.

One of the significant advantages of moving the Guardian server onto the main server is that Council staff

will now be able to access everyday files, emails and procedures under their personal login rather than

issuing separate generic logins and this will assist in allowing staff to visit the Guardian Training site at

anytime.

Review of Queensland Flood Commission Inquiry Recommendations

The Final Report for the Queensland Flood Commission of Inquiry was deferred to the 16th March 2012.

Whilst most of the findings centred around the Brisbane flooding, additional operational recommendations

were noted.

Emergency Management Website

The Emergency Management website content was reviewed and updated.

Mackay Local Disaster Management Group

The Mackay Local Disaster Management Group last met on the 5th

March 2012.

The next scheduled meeting is the 14th

May 2012.

Meetings and Conferences

Attendance at the Emergency Management Website Review Meeting on 6th

February 2012.

Site inspection of the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal Water Storage Dams on 8th

February 2012.

Attendance at the Mackay District Disaster Management Group Meeting on 16th

February 2012.

Attendance at the Isaac Regional Council Guardian Exercise held at Moranbah on 17th

February 2012.

Attendance at the Guardian Project Meeting held on 20th

February 2012.

Attendance at the Aquatic Centres Emergency Management Sub-Plan Review Meeting held on 21st

February 2012.

Attendance at meetings for Safe Plan, 5.1 Budget, Workplace Health and Safety Committee and review

of Grants during the month.

Planning

Mackay Local Disaster Management Plan and Operational Plans

The Mackay Local Disaster Management Plan (MLDMP) was submitted to the Local Disaster Management

Group Meeting on the 5th

December 2011 for consideration and endorsement. The Plan was endorsed with

some minor alterations and approved by Council on 14th

December 2011.

In accordance with the Qld Flood Commission of Inquiry recommendations, a copy of the Plan has been

placed on Council’s website.

Work on and revision of a number of Operational Plans continues. Some Operational Plans will require

major changes due to new guidelines being released. .

Projects / Mitigation Strategies

A number of Projects and Mitigation Strategies are currently being either assessed or undertaken.

Storm Surge Study

This project is now being undertaken by the Planning and Development Program to meet the requirements of

the Coastal Planning Guidelines.

Draft document due by 30th

April 2012.

Rainfall/ River Height Stations

Funding approval has been received for an additional four (4) River and Rainfall Alert Stations within the

various catchment areas. Preliminary investigations into possible station sites at Marian (Pioneer River),

Sarina (Plane Creek), Rural View (McCready Creek) and Walkerston (Bakers Creek) has commenced and

installation will follow.

Aged Care Facilities Evacuation Strategy Planning Committee

Planning continues, last committee meeting held on 4th

April 2012.

Community Emergency Wardens Project

This project is being coordinated by to the Community Resilience Officer with the intention to have three

trial areas (Midge Pt / Seaforth / Eungella) instigated in 2012.

Meeting are currently been held at Midge Point and Eungella.

Backup Generators for Sir Albert Abbott Admin Building

The project has been completed under the supervision of the Property Services Section.

Resilience Project

As a part of the Resilience Project several Disaster Awareness Banners have been purchased to promote the

need for resilience within the community. It is intended that the banners be used in the Council Libraries

and Customer Service Centres and other State Government Buildings.

A Project regarding the distribution of Reusable Shopping Bags promoting Emergency Kits and in similar

colours to the Emergency Action Guide is currently under way. A draft was presented to the Local Disaster

Management Group at the meeting on the 5th

March 2012.

SES Update

Local Controller

The SESMRU has a new agreement with MRC customer service to field calls from prospective SES

volunteers and for SES to advertise 1300mackay on all SES recruitment paraphernalia. This came as the

result of the MRC being inundated with calls during SES recruitments. This formalised agreement ensures

that the SES gets to utilise a reliable business hours number and that Customer service staff receive training

in SES roles and recruiting information. To date the Controller has attended Mackay, Mirani and Sarina

customer service to educate those staff on information relevant to these new customer inquiries.

The MRU held recruiting nights in Mackay, Calen and Mirani this month with an additional 34 recruits now

attending weekly training.

Activations for February

February

Calen and Midge Point: Storm Damage, Peters Road Bloomsbury.

March

SES received 100 calls for assistance during the March rain event which saw 4 days of operation and on

average utilised 16 members per day.

Courses Completed, all of Unit

Unit Level

February

SES Safety, First Aid

March

Traffic control, Storm Damage operations

Group Level

February

Safe working at heights, Flood Boat and Land search

March

2 (new members) - Midge Point

2 (new members) - Calen

Public Education

12-13th

Feb Bunning’s Cake stall (fundraising and static display/Community Education)

18th

Feb IGA with MRC resilience officer (fundraising, Recruiting, Community Education)

New Equipment

February

EMQ supplied a new 2.5 KVA generator for Midge Point Group

March

6kva gen for Calen, plus new stretcher from EMQ

Vehicle replacement of Sarina Hilux

Facilities

February

Campwin Beach Group plans finalised work to commence early March.

Mackay Group received $13,000 of donated building materials from Porters to complete its Emergency

Operations Centre. Volunteers will do the building work and completion is set for the end of March.

March

Calen Group office refurbishment complete and radio equipment upgraded.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

Number of Completed Maintenance Requests Surveyed for Customer Satisfaction

Civil Operations - 110

Parks and Environment - 188

Water Services - 492

Number of Construction Projects Surveyed for Customer Satisfaction

0

Number of Customer Satisfaction Survey Results Finalised

3

Number of IMS Documents Reviewed and Updated

27

Number of New IMS Documents Commenced

4

Number of Work Sites Visited

5

Number of Internal Quality Audits Conducted

0

Finalised Customer Survey Results

Maintenance Requests Satisfaction surveys are posted to customers at the end of each month. The results are reported bi-monthly on a per Program basis. Construction Projects Satisfaction surveys are letter-boxed/hand delivered to customers on project completion. The results are reported on a per project basis.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

25

4

61

38

27

No

. of

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nt

Request Category

NO. OF CUSTOMER REQUEST SURVEY FORMS BY REQUEST TYPE JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2012

Engineering Services - Civil Operations

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100 92

7

1

87

1

No

. of

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nt

Request Category

NO. OF CUSTOMER REQUEST SURVEY FORMS BY REQUEST TYPE JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2012

Engineering Services - Parks and Environment

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

14

4 7

34 35

161

48

189

No

. of

Surv

eys

Se

nt

Request Category

NO. OF CUSTOMER REQUEST SURVEY FORMS BY REQUEST TYPEJANUARY / FEBRUARY 2012

Conducted for Water and Waste Services

Consultation

There has been consultation with Engineering Services Program Managers.

Resource Implications

Nil

Conclusion

The period to the end of March has seen significant progress associated with the overall capital Works

and Operational Programs. The rain events in March in particular caused some issues in terms of

project progress with projects such as Paradise Street and Hill End Road reconstruction suffering

considerable delays and resulting in inconvenience to road users and abutting residents.

It is pleasing to see the start of works that will put in place the recommendations of the Natural

Environment Plan.

The progress associated with NDRRA and Council's road restoration program has been significant and

the approach taken by Council to ensure that this lose track is carried out effectively has been

recognised by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority.

Officer’s Recommendation

THAT this report be received.