ENGINEERING SERVICES HIGHLIGHTS AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES REPORT – MONTH ENDING JUNE 2012 Author: DIRECTOR ENGINEERING SERVICES Purpose To review Engineering Services Department highlights and significant issues for the month of June 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: Director Engineering Services on annual leave for part of June Met with QPWS to discuss issues in relation to ongoing management / maintenance of a number of roads within the Mackay Highlands Met with NQBP to discuss lease options for the new dust monitoring system at McEwens Beach On-going involvement in the following areas: Sustainable Futures Advisory Committee, Whitsunday Regional Roads Group Technical Group, JCC Meeting, Resilience Steering Group Meeting. SafePlan, Design and Construct Review Meetings and SES matters Engineering Services Program Managers meetings
Transcript
ENGINEERING SERVICES HIGHLIGHTS AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES REPORT – MONTH ENDING JUNE 2012
Author: DIRECTOR ENGINEERING SERVICES
Purpose To review Engineering Services Department highlights and significant issues for the month of June 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: Director Engineering Services on annual leave for part of June Met with QPWS to discuss issues in relation to ongoing management / maintenance of a number of
roads within the Mackay Highlands Met with NQBP to discuss lease options for the new dust monitoring system at McEwens Beach
On-going involvement in the following areas: Sustainable Futures Advisory Committee, Whitsunday Regional Roads Group Technical Group, JCC
Meeting, Resilience Steering Group Meeting. SafePlan, 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
LATM works various locations Temples Lane off Cowleys Road Bitumen reseals in Calen and Mirani areas Shakespeare Street footpath between Bruce
Highway and Holland Street Footpath at Bridge Street Walkerston Stormwater Drainage at Graffunder Street
CONTRACTS
Fursden Creek – works to rectify slip at Brickworks at Stormwater Outfall
Restoration/Emergent Works extension to 2010 Flood Saturation Package 1002 – digout pavement repairs throughout the Region
Farleigh Habana Road Bruce Highway to Trevaskis Road
Fursden Creek/Brickworks Court Stormwater Outfall
Works have been substantially completed on the following projects:
DAY LABOUR
LATM works various locations Holts Road at Pioneer Street Andergrove Road footpath Pioneer Street footpath
CONTRACTS
Paradise Street Reconstruction North Mackay Levee Construction Stage
1B/2
The following projects are in progress:
DAY LABOUR
Holts Road at Woodwards Road Dalrymple Road - Road upgrade west of
Eungella Bold Street, Culvert Upgrade Farleigh Habana Road - Bruce Hwy to
Formation Grading Old McEwen’s Beach Road – Fenners Access Road – Buthurra Station Road – Geeberga Buthurra Road – Mackay show Grounds (Inkind assistance) Barclay’s Road – Harvison’s Road – Orphanage Road – Harvison’s Road –Riley’s Road – Grasstree Road – Price’s Road – Swans Road – Rocky Dam Road – Mt. Convenience Road – Grovely Road – Gronnow Road – Rifle Range Road – Newberry road – Kippen road – Courtney Gap Road – Schmidtkes Road – East Inneston Road – South Inneston Road - Berri Werri Cattle Creek Road.
Shoulder Grading Marwood Road.
Pot Hole Repairs / Patching
Palmyra area – McEwen’s Beach area – Dunrock area – Oakenden Area – Pinevale Road – Clare’s Road – Mackay – Eungella Road - Septimus area – Garget area – Midge Road area – Laguna Quay’s area – Bloomsbury area – Kuttabul area – Calen area – St. Helen’s Beach area – Walkerston – Homebush Road – Lansdowne Road – Queens Park – Mangrove Road – Milton Street Griffin Street – Shakespeare Street – Hyne Street – James Street - Bridge Road – Binnington Esplanade – Calrossie Road Michelmore Street – Heinrich Street – Stockroute Road – Peri Road – Tennyson Street – Horse and Jockey Road – Te Kowai Foulden Road – Cooks Lane – Main Street Diesel Drive – Archibald Street – Cowley Road – Boddington Street – Sophia Street – Victoria Street – Walz Road – Holmes Road – McEwen’s Beach Road – George Street – Graffunder Street – Warland Street Hoey Street – Alexandria Road – Old peak downs Highway – Juliet Street – Milton Street – Illawong Drive Casey Avenue – Brisbane Street – Council Car Park in Sydney Street – Harbour area – Andergrove Area – Farleigh area – Glenella Area Beaconsfield area – North Mackay Area – Beaconsfield Area – Seaforth area – Ball Bay area – Bruce Highway – Sarina Coast Road – Sarina Area – Koumala area – Miran Khan Drive – Armstrong Beach Road – Eversleigh road – Garrett Road – Grasstree Beach Road – Bally Keel Road – Hay point area – Louisa Creek Road – Sarina – Marlborough Road – Brewers Road – Grasstree Road.
Kerb & Channel repairs – Hunter Street – Waratah Street.
Roadside Open Drain Maintenance – Ivan Johnsons Road – Balberra Area – Hackett’s Road – Dunrock Road – Kenny’s Road – Mt. Charlton Road – Russell’s crossing Road – Toon’s Road – Wewak Road – St. Helen’s Beach Road – Midge Point Road – Conder parade – Bundesen Avenue – Mackenzie’s Road – Buthurra Station Road – McLennan’s Road – Barron Creek Road – Nielsen Parade – Hampden Court – Howells Road – Saunders Road – Grasstree Road – East Funnel Creek Road – Landing Road.
Traffic Island Maintenance – Lloyd Street.
Mowing & Slashing: - Sunnyside area – Balberra Area – Munburra Area – McEwen’s Beach area – Kuttabul area – Laguna Quay’s area.
Tree and Vegetation Maintenance – Nil.
Line Marking – Delivery of New Linemarker – trials at McEwen’s Beach Road and access road to Sound Shell at Botanical Gardens.
Signage – Erection of North Queensland Games signage – amended signage at all waste transfer station – dumps advising of new council fees and charges – Upgrade to the signage at 12 quarry site accesses – Trucks turning – to improve safety at quarry sites.
Guide Post – Munburra area – Eton area – Victoria Plains Area – Calen – St. Helen’s Beach area.
Litter Collection – Ramp Road – Jimmy’s Rock Road.
Street Sweeping (Programmed works) – North Mackay – Marian – Mirani – Garget – Slade Point – City Heart.
Bus Shelter Maintenance – Calen area – Mt. Martin Loop Road – Seaforth area – Bakers Creek
Repairs to Bus Shelter – Bruce Highway at Greyhound Hotel
Special Works – Installation of overlay plates - DTMR School Zone Project – 8.00am – 9.00am and
2.30pm – 3.30pm.
Installation of overlay plate sites:-
Alligator Creek State School Bloomsbury State School Bucasia State School
Calen District State College Chelona State School Eimeo Road State School Eton State School Eungella State School Farleigh State School Finch Hatton State School Gargett State School Homebush State School Koumala State School Marian State School Mirani State High School Mirani State School North Eton State School Oakenden State School Pindi Pindi State School Pinnacle State School Pinnacle State School
Sarina State High School Seaforth State High School St. Anne’s Catholic Primary School (Sarina)
St. John’s Catholic School (Walkerston)
Swayneville State School Walkerston State School
Trails of new types of one-piece kerb inlet pit tops to replace the existing MRC gully pit, type A precast
top, are in progress. A Hume’s type one-piece kerb inlet pit has been installed in Michelmore Street, and a
Rocla one-piece kerb inlet type has been installed on the corner of Farrellys Road and Diesel Drive. The
trail will continue over several months to test their performance in service.
Rocla one piece kerb inlet pit Rocla one piece Kerb Inlet type pit
Hume type one-piece kerb inlet pit Hume type on-piece kerb inlet pit
Open Drainage Maintenance: Mowing – dry areas in Northern Beaches and Mackay Area – Renae Street Drain – Sugar Shed Road Drain – Cutler Drive Drain – Burge Court Drain – Flors Avenue Drain – Greenfields No 1 Drain – Fairmeadow Drive Drain – Ron Cam Drain – Summer Hill Drain - Mowing – dry areas in East Mackay area – Kilgour Street Drain – Kindermar Street Drain – Edward Street Drain – Scott Street Drain – Casey Avenue - Simpson Street Drain – Chain Street Drain – Rae Street Drain – Paget Street Drain – Thorning Street Drain – Boundary Road Drain – Main Drain No 1 - Kippen Street – Normans Drain and Christy Street – Perry Street Drain – Kate Street Drain. MAIN ROADS MAINTENANCE – RMPC CONTRACT: Minimal works were undertaken in June due to allocated funding to the Contract being fully expended. Negotiations on the new contract for 12/13 have been successfully completed. Quarry Operations Materials were extracted from the following quarry sites:
Cameron’s Pit = 299 cubic metres
Buggybend Pit = 15729 cubic metres
Hoffman’s Pit = 4446 cubic metres
Howell’s Pit = 15794 cubic metres
Omand’s Pit = 1416 cubic metres
Messen’s Pit = 432 cubic metres
Tecon Gap = 4718 cubic metres
Breadsells Pit = 756 cubic metres
Mt. Ossa = 15307 cubic metres
Gravel Pit Stocktake as at 30.06.12
Pit Name Stocktake Balance Value
Johnson Pit-Sarina-Oversized 1,266.00 $14,559.00
Larsen’s Pit 1,727.00 $31,086.00
Tecon Gap Pit 3,838.00 $69,107.12
Eton Pit 510.00 $11,220.00
Bezzina 800.00 $19,954.78
Howells Pit 735.00 $14,788.68
Mitchell's Pit 200.00 $3,600.00
Johnson Pit-Sarina 6,281.00 $113,058.00
Breadsells Pit 2,737.40 $49,273.20
Cameron’s Pit 140.00 $3,360.00
Howells Pit-Scoure 530.00 $6,095.00
Buggybend-Mirani-Oversized 1,161.00 $13,351.50
Mezzens Pit- Oversized 200.00 $2,300.00
Cameron’s Pit-Oversized 897.00 $10,315.50
Eton Pit-Oversized 1,046.00 $12,029.00
Hoffman Pit-Oversized 1,362.00 $15,663.00
Larsen’s Pit-Oversized 1,458.00 $16,767.00
Howells Pit-Oversized 868.00 $9,982.00
Omands-Mirani 6,067.00 $119,342.22
Total 31,823.40 $535,852.01 NDRRA Restoration Works Overview The primary focus this month has centred on project management and control. Specifically, the NDRRA Team has worked closely with Finance for end of year processing and continued development of 2012 emergent and restoration submissions. The Commonwealth day labour decision handed down recently has been followed with a stringent guideline for implementation of compliant claims incorporating day labour costs. This will increase the current work load considerably for the NDRRA Team with identified submissions/ projects needing to be resubmitted under the new guideline. The Authority continues to have a strong presence in Mackay and this is reflective across the State. It is also noticeable that their focus on compliance and audit is increasing. The Authority have advised that the systems implemented in Mackay are best practice and that Council is leading the way especially in the areas of scope control, variation control and management systems, and overlap control with GIS systems implemented and project management.
Natural Disaster Recovery Project Status:
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
2010 2011
100% 100%
79.63%
66.54%
32.70% 27.22%
Natural Disaster Recovery Project Status
Project Budget % complete‐expense +contracts in progress %complete‐expense
0.00
20,000,000.00
40,000,000.00
60,000,000.00
80,000,000.00
100,000,000.00
120,000,000.00
Orders Budget Previous Fin Yrs Actuals
Current Fin Yr Actuals
Total Actuals (inc
Orders)
Funding Available
2010 Event Costs
Emergent ‐ 2010 Event
Restoration ‐ 2010 Event
0.00
10,000,000.00
20,000,000.00
30,000,000.00
40,000,000.00
50,000,000.00
60,000,000.00
70,000,000.00
80,000,000.00
Orders Budget Previous Fin Yrs Actuals
Current Fin Yr Actuals
Total Actuals (inc
Orders)
Funding Available
2011 Event Costs
Emergent ‐ 2011 Event
Restoration ‐ 2011 Event
‐8,000,000.00
‐6,000,000.00
‐4,000,000.00
‐2,000,000.00
0.00
2,000,000.00
4,000,000.00
6,000,000.00
8,000,000.00
Orders Budget Previous Fin Yrs Actuals
Current Fin Yr Actuals
Total Actuals (inc
Orders)
Funding Available
2012 Event Costs
Emergent ‐ 2012 Event
Restoration ‐ 2012 Event
NDRRA General Business:
Regional Program Office (RPO) alliance contract has completed fifty one (51) roads.
There has been a large volume of cave-ins identified in the drainage networks. These are being recorded on a register for inclusion in the 2012 restoration submissions,
Control meeting held between Downer Australia, RPO and NDRRA Team to ensure contractual timelines and cash flows are met.
Working closely with Shepherd Services to deliver the emergent works claim and restoration submissions for the 2012.
Working on the development of detailed project management plans for all NDRRA works. This is a mandatory requirement by the Authority.
Ongoing support to operational staff and consulting superintendants.
Issues and Actions:
Outstanding from the Authority –
o Approval for submission two (2) 2011
o Response from the Authority on MRC’s extension of time (EoT) 2010/11
Co-contribution from Council for complimentary works is being pushed strongly by the Authority and the main emphasis is on scope control rather than cost control
TECHNICAL SERVICES
Development and design of projects for saturation damage projects throughout the Council area for 2011 & 2012 events.
Initial preparation of projects under the 2012 NDRA saturation claim
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.
Discussions with service providers to streamline design and construction processes.
Preparation of Consultant brief for DDA Access Audits funded under 12/13 Operational budget
Provision of reports to Council for Connors Road realignment at the Archibald Street intersection and Revision of Engineering Services Policies
Attendance at meetings in relation to Stadium traffic management, Grants Review, NDRRA Programme delivery, Technical Services Supervisors meeting, Meeting with DTMR and Leightons regarding Pugsley St Walkerston reconstruction, Mackay Road Infrastructure working group, Program Managers Meeting, WH&S Induction.
Attendance Waverley St Reconstruction Public meeting & meeting with Tourism Operators Finch Hatton Gorge
Various drainage investigations for assessment of maintenance and capital upgrading requirements to address system performance issues.
MRC Surveyor programmed to joint test network coverage by the end of July 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.
Preparation for move from Aus-spec to DTMR schedules and specifications for Capital Works delivery from 1 July 2012. Lead role in the development of appropriate estaimating spreadsheets and training of personnel.
Volunteer activities: Conservation Volunteers Australia
- Spent four days at Sandfly Creek Environmental Reserve undertaking weed control and revegetation maintenance as well as planting 50 trees and shrubs
Community activities - Coasts and Communities activities were held at Shoal Point and Bucasia Beach on Saturday 16th
June. 9 community members undertook revegetation maintenance at Shoal Point and 7 people planted and watered 65 native plants and undertook weed control at Bucasia.
- Pioneer Catchment and Landcare Group held a community working bee on the Pioneer River Bank at Marion
- Morag McNichol Reserve Friends Group held a working bee in the reserve - 4 volunteers attended the Mackay Natural Environment Centre during the month, participating in
site maintenance projects - Weekly propagation sessions were held at the Sarina Landcare Catchment Management
Association Nursery - Pioneer Catchment and Landcare group held a community nursery day
School Activities - 2 school activities were held with Beaconsfield State Primary School at the Keeleys rd
wetland site undertaking weed identification and control - 1 school activity was held with Beaconsfield State Primary School at Blacks Beach
undertaking weed identification and control - Work experience students worked with the habitat restoration team for 6 days in June
Natural Environment Plan implementation: Coastal priority projects - Weed control was undertaken at Shoal Point and Bucasia
Habitat restoration team activities: - Mulching was undertaken at Blacks Beach - Weed control activities were undertaken at Blacks Beach and Morag McNichol Reserve - Construction and Maintenance projects were undertaken at the Mackay Natural Environment
Centre - Revegetation was watered at Blacks Beach and Sandfly Creek
Marine Beach teams (Sarina and Mackay) activities: - 3 swimming enclosures were inspected and maintained - A new timber beach access was constructed at Nautilus Park, Shoal Point
Volunteers at Shoal Point
- Revegetation was watered at Shoal Point and Bucasia - Rubbish and green waste was collected from Shoal Point, Bucasia, Louisa Creek, Hay Point,
Half Tide and Salonika Beach - Beach accesses and fencing were maintained at Grasstree Beach - 280 native plants were planted at Grasstree Beach and 240 at Campwin Beach - Mulching was undertaken at Hay Point - Weed control was undertaken at Hay Point, Campwin Beach, Sarina Beach and Grasstree
Beach
Environmental Ranger activities - Residents in Bucasia advised not to drive on esplanade or dump rubbish - Investigation of vegetation clearing, fires and illegal structures on the foreshore at Louisa
Creek - Investigation of vegetation clearing, fires and illegal structures at Ball Bay - Investigated illegal BMX track at Malone Drive Park Andergrove - Continue to work on illegal vehicle issues at Slade Point, town beach, Far Beach, Ball Bay,
Shoal Point and Blacks Beach - Investigated various illegal dumping cases at Bucasia, Cathy Freeman Oval and Blacks Beach - Continued monitoring of St Helens Campground - Purchase of surveillance cameras for use in monitoring and investigation activities - Seed collection activities were conducted across a range of sites
Other projects - Various Land for Wildlife property assessments and revisits - Healthy Waterways Symposium and workshops were attended by staff - Pioneer Catchment and Landcare Staff took the Pest Education Trailer to the Pioneer Valley
show to provide advice and information about pest management - Discussions with EcoBarge Clean Seas, BMA and Reef Catchments to develop a beach clean
up program to remove marine debris from coastal environments in the Mackay region - Discussion with the organisers of the Harbour Beach horse races regarding permit conditions - Skills Training Mackay construction team finished their program of work at the Mackay
Natural Environment Centre and held a graduation ceremony and congratulatory BBQ
- Commenced an interpretive signage project for the Blue River Trail
Parks Building Services Activities
Parks Electrical Work:
4% 4%
55%7%
18%
4%4% 4%
Electrical Work ‐ Traffic SignalsTraffic Signal Push Button Maintenance
Traffic Signal Re‐alignment
Traffic Signal Lamp Replacement
Traffic Signal LED reset
Traffic Signal Emergency work
Traffic signal generator instal for power out
Traffic signal replace pole
Traffic Signal Wide Load Pole Lowering
25%
59%
8%
8%
Electrical Work ‐ Other
Test and Tag Inspections
Park Light Repairs
Park power repairs
Park power install new board
Playgrounds:
Built Asset Maintenance: Public Amenities:
Fitted a new roll bar to Gillham Park amenities
Replaced toilet seat at Wilson Park amenities
Wilson Park amenities Celeber Drive Annie Wood Park amenities Park Furniture:
Six walkway bridges painted in Cuttersfield Park
Graffiti removed at John Breen and Wilson Parks
Graffiti removed at Gordon White Library
Wellington Street garden bed walls cleaned and painted
Gillham Park amenities painted
Toilet facilities at Shoal Point and Bucasia painted
Vandalised table replaced at Broomdykes Drive Park
Capping on Wellington Street garden bed walls replaced
Tables and slabs replaced at Jaycee Park
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Jan‐12
Feb‐12
Mar‐12
Apr‐12
May‐12
Jun‐12
Jul‐12
Aug‐12
Sep‐12
Oct‐12
Nov‐12
Dec‐12
Playground Maintenance and Inspection
Operational Inspections
Visual Inspections
Play Equipment Repairs –Substantial
Play Equipment Repairs ‐Minor
Table removed from Quota Park
Two table settings installed at Broad Street, Sarina
Seat installed at Broomdykes Drive Park
Basketball hoops replaced at Wren Street oval
Sharps containers installed in River Street boat ramp facilities
Trenching for power supply at Grasstree Beach undertaken
Other work completed: City Heart, Blue Water Quay and Blue River Trail:
11,000Sqm of concrete and path cleaned with blower
4,000Sqm of concrete and path cleaned with high pressure water blaster
170 rubbish bins emptied
85 rubbish bins cleaned
8 bins repaired
32 umbrellas cleaned
96 L of oil used oiling decks and furniture.
Blue Water Trail near Canelands Park
New Bike Rack Blue Water Quay
Completed Capital Projects:
Broad Street Sarina Street Furniture
Blue Water Quay Shade Shelters and Balustrade
Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens -
Meadowlands The roof commenced installation in late June and will be completed in early July. Soon, final earthworks and turfing of the terraces, electricals and installation of the sliding doors will occur. The project (phase one) is still expected to finish in late July.
The Meadowlands Amphitheatre takes shape Horticultural works and Myrtle Rust Staff have focused on weed control – due to the unseasonal warm and moist weather and are just about on top of the weeds again. Planting occurred in the Screens and Hedges Garden, Australian Regional Flora Terraces, Finch Hatton Gorge Waterway and in the Heritage Garden kitchen plot. June’s Gardens Friends planting bee was cancelled due to Myrtle Rust and the potential chance for the Gardens to inadvertently infect participants. All botanic gardens that we have contacted in Myrtle Rust affected areas have undertaken similar measures. We are monitoring the situation as the disease spreads further in the Australian Regional Flora Terraces and into Torres Strait. Some plants that have been here since 2003 and prior – the Beach Cherry Eugenia reinwardtiana and Lemon-scented Myrtle Backhousia citriodora hedged entrance to Whitsunday and Heritage Gardens, the Beach Cherry hedges in the Tropical Shade Garden and the Rose Apple Syzygium jambos specimen tree at Torres Strait have been removed, either due to problematic location for path closures and spraying, or being reinfected even with repeated treatment. Further consideration is underway for the Broad-leaved Paperbark Melaleuca viridiflora var. viridiflora mass planting in the triangle bed at the Monsoon Stairs and some specimen trees elsewhere. Removal of infected trees requires pre-spraying, barricading the area off for 24 hours and a complete decontamination of all equipment and clothing used and so pre-removal of some specimens will be undertaken to reduce further contamination of the site. The disease proves to be virulent and continues to spread with further reports of Myrtle Rust now in street trees in East and West Mackay and in private gardens in the Whitsundays. The Botanic Gardens Team Leader, along with the Parks and Environment Myrtle Rust Action Group has developed an official Council staff procedure to assist staff in following best practices if Myrtle Rust is encountered.
Rose Apple being removed by the MRBG Crew
Excerpt from Council’s Grapevine Newsletter
Herbarium Collecting is still not being undertaken (due to Myrtle Rust) but this has provided an opportunity to catch up on some of the back-log of jobs. A dozen horticultural reference specimens had their printed labels attached so are now ready to be colour-copied for the public reference file. A spreadsheet, listing all processed specimens that still require site details, has also been compiled and is being updated Site Works
Works to upgrade the Dumbleton Raw Water Intake have commenced.
The entire lower lagoon pathway below the Nebo Road Water Treatment Plant is closed and contraction works will be undertaken from June – August Visitor Services Program:
Exhibitions “The Mates Exhibition No 2”: June 6 – July 1
Two resident artists Roy Huff and Merv Nairn are still painting and in their 2nd exhibition at the Botanic Gardens Lagoons Gallery, the artworks related to Mackay’s 150 year history. Their exhibition showcased some of the familiar historical buildings, landmarks and industry of Mackay from its earliest days till now. The exhibition was complimented with historic photos of Mackay on loan from the Library’s Local History Collection.
St Joseph Ladies Group
North Queensland Day Moth
M150 Historic Guided Walk
Community involvement with the Gardens M150 Historic Walk with historian, Berenice Wright: Sunday June 17
50 people came and listened to Mrs. Berenice Wright talk about the early history of Mackay and how the Lagoons site, now the Botanic Gardens played a major role in the early days of Mackay. They also found out about the different Mackay homesteads and their gardens, which now have a snippet of their history, depicted in the section of the Gardens called the Heritage Gardens. The walk started at the Botanic Garden’s Lagoon Cafe, and after Berenice was interviewed by Seven News, then moved to the Lagoon Lookout Deck and eventually down to the Heritage Gardens.
Free guided walks: occur every Friday at 9.30am and have proven very popular this month. The Visitor Services Officer conducted a walk for the Baker’s Creek Memorial Committee for 15 people plus their American military visitor. The Curator and Gardens Friends also conducted walks on other Fridays with a range in numbers from 2 – 7 participants. The largest group was on June 15 was with 14 members of the St Joseph Ladies Group, plus 2 residents joining in.
Successful RADF Grant application: Carolyn Atkinson, the Visitor Services Officer and Kate Brunner as the 10 year celebration book project titled “The Bungy Jumping Caterpillar” was successful in applying for the support of an RADF grant. This children’s book covering the life cycle of one of the MRBG’s special animals – the North Queensland Day Moth Alcides metaurus as a children’s book will launched next May as part of the 10 year birthday celebration of the Gardens.
Friends of the Gardens AGM:
The MRBG Friends Association Inc held their annual general meeting on June 19. John Atkinson, Conservation Officer with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service presented the flora, fauna and different walks at Cape Hillsborough using a slide show of fantastic photos.
The following committee members were voted in at the AGM:
President – Bill McWhinney, Vice-president – John Atkinson, Secretary – Robin McWhinney, Treasurer – Maya Harrison, and committee members – Dale Arvidsson, Robyn Ziebarth, Meryl Ritchie and Kevin Jackson.
Children and parents enjoying school holiday activities
Children and parents enjoying school holiday activities
Plant-ed: St Francis Prep classes (each having 24 children) visited over three days June 5, 6, 7 and followed the excursion with a visit from the Visitor Services Officer to the school on June 14 for a Lagoon Water pollution demonstration. Mackay West Year 2’s (50 / 52 children) attended over two days June 12 and 13 and Koumala with 25 Prep and Year 1children visiting on June 19.Their educational tours focussed life cycles, living things/ habitats, water catchments and water pollution. School Holiday activities: School holiday activities were booked out with children discovering about “Sensing Nature”. Nature can be appreciated using all of our senses; Sight, hearing, touching, smelling and tasting. The sense we use most often to understand our world is sight. On a walk through the Gardens, children concentrated individually on each of the senses to gain a better awareness of the plants and animals around us, including furry leaves, twittering birds, colourful mini-beasts, earthy smells and many surprises. The two hour session finished with a creative activity making either a plant or animal with many different textures, colours, sounds and smells.
A Special School Holiday activity was organised for a School Holiday Vacation care group with ‘Tinkerbell’ as their theme 20 children from prep age to Year 7 had to use jumbled pictures and poetic messages to find and follow clues, with the aim of finding pieces of a ‘Tinkerbell’ image to put together like a jigsaw. Along the way from the Torres Strait Islands Garden shelter, to the Kitchen Garden, Coal Garden, Eulamere shelter, and Forest Arbour, the children learnt about other creatures and seeds that fly, things in Gardens that can be eaten, textures, smells and even footprints of dinosaurs.
Other Events and Functions Weddings & events: 5 Weddings occurred 4 corporate functions at the Lagoon Cafe 2 fitness groups used the grounds each day, 5 days per week. Meeting Room: 6 Meeting Room bookings – community and environmental groups 2 Council Horticultural Training bookings 2 school group visits used the room 1 week of school holiday activities with the MRBG Restaurant & Cafe at the Lagoons: 3080 customers patronised the facility in June. Website: www.mackayregionalbotanicgardens.com.au
Enewsletter subscribers:
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1165 1165 1237 1220
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Botanic Gardens Website visits
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569 571
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Botanic Gardens eNewsletter subscribers
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT BOM Weather / Riveralert Warnings Received Three (3) BOM Warning Advices were received in the month ending 30/6/2012. Three (3) No Threat Tsunami Advices Nil (0) Severe Weather Alerts Nil (0) Severe Thunderstorm Advices
Community Education
The Emergency Management Section continues to support and promote community disaster awareness education, community preparedness and resilience for disaster events.
As a part of the 2012/13 Storm/Cyclone Season Advertising Campaign advertising “super side panel” space has been secured on a transit coach for a period of six months commencing October 2012 to March 2013. It is intended to promote the Emergency Action Guide to residents via this innovative way.
Emergency Management staff have been investigating the purchase of a Mobile Variable Message Board unit, as a community education tool, under funding available from the State Governments Community Resilience Program. This unit would then be utilized to promote community resilience, emergency preparedness and awareness throughout the region and would be utilized in events for passing on information and warnings to residents. Disaster Coordination Centre
The Disaster Coordination Centre remains in a state of readiness. Emergency Management Website The Emergency Management website is currently undergoing a major facelift to allow content to be more accessible and user friendly. It is envisaged to have the new web pages completed by the end of October 2012. Review of Queensland Flood Commission of Inquiry Recommendations The Final Report for the Queensland Flood Commission of Inquiry (QFCI) was released on the 16th March 2012.
The State Government released it’s response to the recommendations on the 7th June 2012.
The final recommendations have been reviewed by staff and a presentation was prepared and presented to the Mackay Local Disaster Management Group Meeting on the 16th July 2012.
The Emergency Management Team is currently assessing the recommendations and starting to enact recommends that require action by either the Mackay Regional Council or the Mackay Local Disaster Management Group. Mackay Local Disaster Management Group
The Mackay Local Disaster Management Group last met on the 16th July 2012. The next scheduled meeting is the 20th August 2012.
Meetings and Conferences Attendance at the Guardian Review meeting on 5th June 2012.
Attendance at the meeting with the Bureau of Meteorology regarding upgrades to RiverAlert on 12th
June 2012. Attendance at the Emergency Management Website Review Meeting on 14th June 2012.
Attendance at the meeting with District Disaster Coordinator, Executive Officer – MDDMG, Mayor,
Deputy Mayor and Local Disaster Coordinator on 19th June 2012 regarding the operations of the Mackay Local Disaster Management Group.
Operations Emergency Management staff maintained a watching brief on weather conditions and on the Hendra virus case near Seaforth. Planning Mackay Local Disaster Management Plan and Operational Plans The Mackay Local Disaster Management Plan (MLDMP) was formally approved by the Council on 14th December 2011 and a copy of the MLDMP can be found on council’s website. A revised LDMG Contacts List has been circulated to LDMG members, the District Disaster Coordinator (DDC) and the Executive Officer (XO) of the Mackay District Disaster Management Group (MDDMG) following the confirmation of Elected Councillor Representatives on the Group. Projects / Mitigation Strategies A number of Projects and Mitigation Strategies are currently being either assessed or undertaken. Storm Surge Study Tropical Cyclone Storm Surge and Wave Impact Project has been funded under the Natural Disaster Resilience Program being undertaken by the Planning and Development Program to meet the requirements of the Coastal Planning Guidelines. The project was set for completion by May 2012, however there have been some delays with the draft report (without mapping) only being received in early June 2012. Mapping is expected by the end of June 2012. Pioneer River and Gooseponds Flood Studies The flood studies are being undertaken by Planning and Development Program. The Draft Pioneer River Flood Study was received by Council on 11th October 2011 and a review is currently being undertaken. A report is expected to be presented to Council later in 2012 before public release for community feedback.
The Draft Gooseponds Flood Study was received on 27th February 2012 and is currently under review. A report is expected to be presented to Council in conjunction with the Pioneer River Flood Study later in 2012 before public release for community feedback.
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 stations sites at Marian (Pioneer River), Sarina (Plane Creek), Rural View (McCready Creek) and Walkerston (Bakers Creek) have been undertaken and provision of services being finalised. Community Emergency (Wardens) Liaison Officers Project A total of eight (8) expressions of interest have been received being three (3) in Eungella, three (3) in Midge Point and two (2) in Seaforth.
Letters have been forwarded to community members that have indicated they are interested in the positions. A meeting of all the interested community members will be undertaken on the 19th July 2012, with training scheduled for the 4th September 2012. It is expected that the three pilot areas will be operational with additional communication equipment and backup generators available before the 2012/13 storm season commences. Training Discussions have been held with EMQ Mackay to schedule Local Disaster Management Group Required Training for LDMG members in accordance with the new Queensland Disaster Management Training Framework. Training Exercise – “Toxic Plume”
The Mackay District Disaster Management Group recently held a desktop exercise which involved a scenario of a chemical truck accident/rollover on Nebo Road requiring up to a 3 kilometre exclusion zone via a managed (mandatory) evacuation for a minimum period of 48 hours. Assistant Local Disaster Coordinators attended on behalf of the Mackay Local Disaster Management Group. The initial scenario of up to 3 kilometres exclusion was researched prior to the exercise and it was quickly established that this incident would be a major impact on Mackay residents and a “Declaration of Disaster” was declared by the District Disaster Coordinator. The scenario was a daytime incident (approximately 1 pm) which complicated the event by adding additional considerations that required addressing. It was estimated that approximately 31,915 residents, 5 primary schools – approx 2,472 students, 3 high schools – approx 2,137 students, 7 childcare centres, 2 hospitals, 3 aged care centres with approx 422 residents including approx 201 high care residents, 3 retirement villages and approx 13,000 CBD workers requiring evacuation. Evacuation routes, staging areas, catering and evacuation centres were identified as a part of the exercise and a number of potential issues were identified which would require “requests for assistance” to District and State.
As the exercise commenced the exclusion zone was reduced to 2 kilometres which still would have affected some 20,000 residents.
The exercise provided an excellent opportunity to discuss the scenario with other emergency services and government agencies and a number of learning were taken from the exercise. It is intended to discuss and exercise the scenario at the meeting of the Mackay Local Disaster Management Group on the 20th August 2012.
SES Update Membership Although final membership numbers from Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ) were received in July they have been included in Junes report as the numbers would have been the same for this period and the information may be useful before the next report. Total Unit strength 182 Active (available week to week) 29 Probationary plus new applicants (limited to certain tasks) 72 Reserves (available outside of seasonal work or other restrictive family or work situations) 283 Total (Available this storm season) The 1810 inactive members represent those whose work, family or other commitments has led to their non attendance at SES training for some time and the archiving of their file. It is important to recognise that this number represents members of the community trained to look after themselves during an event. Not only will these ex members of the SES be able to look after themselves during and after an event but also their neighbours and others in their street. The SES contribution to Community Education is not just limited to public displays. Every time a member of the community trains with the SES, even if it is for just a short time, it further imbeds resilience into the wider community. Mackay Group Hours The MRU is still rolling out its iPads so the only reliable data on actual hours for June comes from “Mackay Group only” with; 249 hours of General training (Communications, Emergency Lighting etc) 116 hours of High Risk training (Vertical Rescue, Flood Boat) 92 hours of Unit level training (First Aid, Traffic Control) 102 hours Operational Responses 55 hours in meetings (Unit Executive, Group Executive) 4 hours maintenance Total 618 Hours Mackay Group Only Activations for June Friday 1st – Saturday 2nd Bruce Highway (Macs Truck Stop) Activated by Queensland Police Service (QPS). SES Traffic Controllers, 7 from Mackay and 3 from Sarina, provided emergency traffic control and emergency lighting for a double fatal collision between a motorcycle and vehicle. Volunteers were activated at 1930 Friday night and stood down at 0300 Saturday morning. Sunday 3rd Finch Hatton Gorge (Body Recovery) Initially activated by Queensland Police Service for Search and Rescue. 6 Vertical Rescue and 12 Land Search Operators were activated from Mirani and Mackay. SES was advised on route that a body had been located and that the role had changed from rescue to recovery. SES assisted Police, Fire and Ambulance in the removal of the deceased person by carrying the deceased over 2km’s in rough terrain back to the Finch Hatton Gorge car park.
Mackay Flood Boat Operator practices shallow water navigation
in Pioneer River Estuaries
Monday 11th Ilbilbie (smoke on Highway) Activated by Queensland Police Service, Sarina and Koumala SES Groups responded to assist Camilla SES with emergency Traffic Control and to reduce the possibility of a vehicle collision due to smoke reducing visibility on the Bruce Highway. Saturday 16th – Sunday 17th Eungella (search for two missing Swedish nationals) Activated by Queensland Police Service 13 Volunteer Land Search Operators activated from Mackay and Mirani SES groups and were quickly deployed to three separate areas of high probability. The two missing tourists were located by the SES within 2km’s of their accommodation. High priority was given to this operation based on the risk of exposure to the two missing tourists. The tourists were located at 0300 early morning. Volunteers were activated at 2230 Saturday night and stood down at 0800 Sunday morning. Agency Support Wednesday 13th At the request of Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) SES contributed to an assessment of public safety in the Finch Hatton Gorge area with Queensland Police and Queensland Workplace Health and Safety also in attendance. The Local Controller and Deputy Controller for Mirani attended as the SES representatives. Particular emphasis was put on the standard of signage and QPWS presented several ideas for upgrades that the group believed would improve the public’s understanding of the area.
Public Safety/Community Education North Queensland Games 16th and 20th At the request of the Mackay Regional Council, SES provided marshals to assist in the organisation of athletes participating in the opening ceremony at Virgin Australia Stadium. Volunteers also attended the Practice prior to the opening. Palm View Village Seniors Expo 27th SES provided its community Education Trailer and gave advice to seniors who attended this event in how to better prepare for flood and storm events in this region.
Facilities Mackay Mackay Group will be sourcing additional funding from the private sector to complete its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) before the upcoming storm season. This new work will be in addition to the completed works on the offices of the Group Leader/Incident Controller, Operations/Communications room and the third office that will house the call centre and double as the office of the training officer in the off season. The EOC will also double as a second training room so that at any one time two of the three levels of training that Mackay delivers can be done in an environment more suitable to adult learning principles.
Training facility at Ness Street Security lighting at Ness Street
QUALITY ASSURANCE Number of Completed Maintenance Requests Surveyed for Customer Satisfaction: Civil Operations - 88 Parks and Environment - 99 Water Services – 222 Number of Construction Projects Surveyed for Customer Satisfaction: 0 Number of Customer Satisfaction Survey Results Finalised: 3 Number of IMS Documents Reviewed and Updated: 9 Number of New IMS Documents Commenced: 1 Number of Work Sites Visited: 6 Number of Internal Quality Audits Conducted: 3
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
80
90
18
6
0
46
27 9
88
No. of Surveys Sent
Request Category
NO. OF CUSTOMER REQUEST SURVEY FORMS BY REQUEST TYPE JUNE 2012
Engineering Services - Civil Operations
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
31
0 0
68
0
99
No. of Surveys Sent
Request Category
NO. OF CUSTOMER REQUEST SURVEY FORMS BY REQUEST TYPE JUNE 2012
Engineering Services - Parks and Environment
0
50
100
150
200
250
52 6 13 13
84
25
74
222
No. of Surveys Sent
Request Category
NO. OF CUSTOMER REQUEST SURVEY FORMS BY REQUEST TYPEJUNE 2012
Conducted for Water and Waste Services
Consultation There has been consultation with Engineering Services Program Managers.
Resource Implications
Nil
Conclusion
It is evident that all programs within Engineering Services have been particularly active during the June period. Extensive planning has already commenced in preparation for the 2012/13 capital works program. This will ensure that all areas are well advanced to undertake the extensive program of works over the next 12 months.
