This year's ANZAC Day saw hundreds turn out to remember the efforts of Australia and New Zealand's great service men and women. Veterans, schools, clubs and businesses poured into the streets to march in grand parades, and packed in close to attend services held across the Hinchinbrook Shire. Beautiful wreaths were lain and the bugles mournful tones echoed across respectful silences as flags were lowered to half mast. A gunfire breakfast, coffee and traditional ANZAC biscuits kept everyone going
Read the full storyAllan Colquhoun grew up in Sydney, but his life has taken him far beyond the city limits. In his youth, he worked with a station owner named Bob, whose property combined dairy and sheep farming with a focus on Jersey bulls and cows. One vivid memory that’s stayed with him is of Bob chasing down a bull meant for butchering on his stock horse —a beast that, to Allan’s amazement, climbed over the holding fence one hoof at a time to escape. Allan spent most of his working life as a coastal travelle
Read the full storyHinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Tourism held their monthly Coffee Connect last week, being hosted by local business Wild Local. There was a very strong attendance at this event, with Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter and KAP Senate candidate, Robbie Lyon. Rebecca and Dom Zaghini provided a delicious light snacks and gave the audience an overview of their business journey from inception to their current location, the diverse range of products they provide and some insight into t
Read the full storyOver the weekend, the Ingham Kennel Club hosted six rounds of dog shows, featuring judges from across Australia who rotated to ensure fair and balanced competition. Dogs were entered into one of seven group categories, with the Toy Group attracting the largest number of entries. Sunday's shows saw the Italian Greyhound emerge as a standout, making up 20 of the 170 total entries across the weekend. Unique and rarely seen breeds like the Xoloitzcuintli and Briard added excitement to the event, of
Read the full storyAs we start a new year, I would like to take this opportunity to remind people that Council’s monthly meetings occur on the last Tuesday of each month and meetings are open to the public whom may wish to attend. The meeting agenda is also available to the public on Council’s website the day before the meeting and this enables ratepayers to peruse agenda items including staff recommendations, reports incorporating information on matters for Councillor information, contract tender details and much more information on Council’s daily operations for the previous month. Information you will see includes things like the flying fox dispersal works, road and drain maintenance activities, capital works being undertaken, Information Centre, library and gallery visitor numbers, requests to Council for attention on animals, water, waste and associated issues as well as contracts let by Council to third parties for contractual performances. As a Council we endeavour to ensure that as much information as possible is recorded in the Agenda in the interests of transparency and public knowledge.
For instance, you will see that at its 10 December 2024 meeting, Council resolved to accept a tender from the Marine Specialists to construct and install a new commercial service pontoon at Dungeness at a cost of $381,040.00 with works expected to be completed towards the end of the current calendar year. The project, designed to replace the current stairway infrastructure, was made possible through the financial assistance of the Queensland State Government for which Council is grateful. Works will not be able to commence until relevant permits from the Department of Environment are secured.
You will also see activities undertaken by Councillors throughout the previous month. The agendas may be accessed at https://bit.ly/3qLtXaH and I urge you to access same to see what Council is up to.
I would also like to remind potential developers in our region that Council remains very keen to encourage new development within the Shire, and to that end, has adopted Development Incentive Guidelines which allow for the consideration of waiving development application fees and infrastructure charges.
The Guidelines provide direction as to the circumstances where Council may consider waiving fees and charges for developments which meet certain eligibility criteria. Please see our more detailed article in our Council Connections.
And finally, congratulations to all our local residents who have been nominated for this year’s Australia Day awards. You are all truly deserving of the nominations and I wish you every success at the Awards.