Councillor Jenny McKay

15/04/2020

PUBLIC NOTICE - FB Cancellation

Please note that this page is due for deletion in 14 days.

Anyone wishing to contact Jenny can do so via her personal page - Jenny McKay.

Regards

Lesleigh

14/04/2020

06/04/2020

TMR Notification: Roadside signage and delineation work improvements starting soon for Palmwoods-Montville Road.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) would like to advise that roadside maintenance activities will begin soon along sections of Woombye-Montville Road (locally known as Palmwoods-Montville Road) between Hunchy Road and the top of the range at Montville.

Activities will start in April 2020 weather and construction scheduling conditions permitting. Works are anticipated to take approximately two weeks to complete, weather and construction conditions permitting.

Key works:
• upgrade of retro-reflective pavement markers and road
edge guide posts to better delineate the roadway, particularly at night
• installation of some new and replacement of some existing roadside signage.

What to expect:
• majority of works will be undertaken during the day between 6am and 3pm, Monday to Friday
• single lane closures, reduced speed limits, construction signage and traffic control measures will be in place during construction
• motorists may experience minor delays and are encouraged to drive to the changed traffic conditions, obeying signage, reduced speed limits and traffic controller directions at all times
• provisions will be made for school buses to ensure travel is unaffected
• reversing beepers and flashing lights are a safety requirement and will be used during working hours
• emergency vehicles will be given priority access and entry through the work site.

Every effort will be made to keep disruptions and noise to a minimum while works are undertaken. TMR understands roadworks can be frustrating for nearby businesses, residents and road users and acknowledges the cooperation and patience of stakeholders during roadworks.

We are continuing with business at TMR and North Coast Region under unusual and challenging circumstances, related to Coronavirus. We are committed to delivering the department's program and services while keeping the health and wellbeing of staff and the public our highest priority.


North Coast Region
Program Delivery and Operations Branch | Infrastructure Management and Delivery Division | Department of Transport and Main Roads

03/04/2020

02/04/2020

Flaxton Rd Bus Stop cnr Kondalilla Fallls Rd

A couple of photographs of the recently installed bus shelter on Flaxton Drive near Kondalilla Falls Road.
I met on site with residents late last year to resolve this issue with councils design team.
Although the landscaping is not yet completed, I’m happy to report a great outcome was reached for all involved, I hope you agree.

02/04/2020

Financial relief for Unitywater customers – COVID-19 pandemic

Unitywater is mindful of the pressure the COVID-19 pandemic is placing on families and businesses across our service area. We know that some people are doing it tough and we are doing what we can to support the communities we work in.

We have announced today that for the next six months, Unitywater is extending all bill due dates from 30 days to 60 days and will not be charging interest on overdue bills. To make this as easy as possible for all our customers, these changes will happen automatically. For the customers who are having trouble paying their bill we will work with them to offer payment plans.

These actions supplement the State Government’s package to provide $200 to each household to assist with their utility bills. It is important to note that the credit will be applied directly and automatically on electricity bills, it will not be applied to water bills.

Our teams also remain in the field to maintain our essential water and sewerage services for our customers. We’re asking customers and members of the public to keep them safe and maintain social distancing.

For more information about the relief package, please visit https://www.unitywater.com/about-us/contact-us/customer-relief-package. We’ll be posting this link on our social media if you’re looking for a way to communicate with your constituents.

01/04/2020

Sunshine Coast Council - Grants and Funding

In response to the unique and challenging situation COVID19 has placed us all, Council is adapting its approach to grants and funding to meet changing community needs. Council’s Grants and Funding webpages will continue to be updated regularly. https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/grants

Minor Grant Round - paused
While we are considering the best way for Council to support not-for-profit community organisations through this difficult time, a pause has been placed on the Community Grants Program, Minor Grants Round (which was due to open today and close on 5 May). We apologise for the inconvenience this unanticipated change may cause.

Major Grant Round - assessments going ahead
To everyone who submitted an application to the Community Grants Program, Major Grants round which closed on 16 March 2020… Well done! Rest assured, assessment of this round continues uninterrupted. We still anticipate recommendations for this round will be endorsed at the May scheduled Ordinary Meeting of Council.

Project Variations
Successful grant recipients from previous rounds, who are experiencing difficulty in delivering your project in this current environment, please contact the Grants Team via [email protected] with the details of your issue so we can discuss options. You may wish to seek a project variation, such as to extend your project dates.

Community Events - cancelled or postponed?
Naturally, many community events have had to be cancelled or postponed. If your group has had to cancel a community event which has received Council grant funding, and that money has already been spent in line with your project budget, you will still be able to acquit those funds without concern.But, if you have an underspend, or hadn’t started spending yet, please contact us via [email protected] to discuss whether a project variation request or a return of funds is your organisation’s best option.

More Soon...
We are grateful for your patience with us as we deal with a large number of enquiries at this time. We are working hard to get back to everyone as quickly as possible, so we can help support you in the important work your organisations do to build a strong community.

Council’s website has lots of information on COVID19 (including Business Support and Community Support) to help you through this challenging time. There is also a practical At Home in My Neighbourhood resource hub – which will help you stay informed about the different supports available across governments and the community sector.

There is little doubt that not-for-profit organisations will be the social connectors critical to rebuilding community connections after this large disruption. Trust we will be in touch again soon, with details on how Council can help community organisations through from a grants and funding perspective.

Wishing each of you strength and good health,

Council’s Community Connections and Partnerships Team
[email protected]

Copyright © 2019 Sunshine Coast Council, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email as a Not-For-Profit Group or affiliate and may have accessed or applied for grants with the Sunshine Coast Council previously.

Our mailing address is:
Sunshine Coast Council
Locked Bag 72
Sunshine Coast Mail Centre, Qld 4560
Australia

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To subscribe to Grants and Funding eNews please email [email protected]

Council offers a range of grants and funding for community projects and artistic development

01/04/2020

Russell Family Park, Montville. New playground and landscape construction

Confirming that the new playground equipment, associated landscape construction works and pedestrian pathways were opened for public use on Thursday 19 March 2020.

01/04/2020

Council COVID-19 update – Council urges community to STAY HOME, customer service counters and boat ramps to close and tips move to cashless payments
Sunshine Coast residents are being asked to stay home and only go out for the four reasons outlined by the Chief Health Officer – shopping for essentials, medical care or caring for vulnerable people, exercise, or for work or education that cannot be conducted from home.
Sunshine Coast Council Mayor and Local Disaster Management Group Chair Mark Jamieson urged the community to follow the advice of Queensland’s Chief Health Officer (CHO), Dr Jeanette Young.
“The Chief Health Officer has very clear directions for our community to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and it’s absolutely vital that we follow those,” Mayor Jamieson said.
“There is no reason other than those four requirements that any Sunshine Coast resident should leave their home.
“I emphasise that while our public spaces remain open for people to exercise, social distancing is of the utmost importance and congregating on beaches or in other spaces will not be accepted.
“In terms of congregating, unless you are with members of your household, the rule is pretty simple.
“Two is company. Three is a crowd.
“Council is also making further changes to its services this week to help ensure our community adheres to these directions.”
Sunshine Coast Council’s customer service counters and reception desks will close from 4.30pm on Friday April 3 (with in-person service available by appointment only).
Council’s resource recovery centres will accept cashless (card only) payments only from Monday April 6.
Council boat ramps are also now closed.
You can still contact council via phone on 5475 7272 any time day or night (after hours emergency issues only) or by one of the many convenient online channels.
Appointments will be available for residents who need to meet with council’s customer service officers and can be requested via telephone or an online form.
Customer service staff will remain in the offices to assist customers via phone and online, and for customers who arrive at the counters and who require service but cannot use one of the other contact options. There may be a short waiting time for those people who do arrive at the customer service centres.
Phone and online contact options – customer service centres
• Chat: chat online with a Customer Service Officer between 9am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) by clicking the blue chat bubble in the bottom right corner of the Contact Council web page.
• Call-back service: while our wait times are minimal, if you don’t have time to wait on-hold, you can simply enter your name, number and enquiry topic via council’s website and a Customer Service Officer will call you. Call-back is available from Monday – Friday, 8.30am – 4.30pm. Please do not use call-back for urgent or hazardous situations or outside of business hours. Please telephone 5475 7272 in these instances. Live call wait times during business hours can be seen via the Contact Council, Phone, fax and mail page on the website.
• Online forms: can be used any time day or night to request a service, request a bin repair or replacement, change your address, change animal registration details, provide feedback or request general information.
• Email: [email protected]
• MyCouncil: register to view property details, rates notices, animal details, submit online requests, update details and make payments, businesses can also register to get access to a business dashboard showing their property and applications.
• Hearing impaired – phone via the National Relay Service on 133 677 or use Web Chat
• Speech impaired – phone via the National Relay Service on 1300 555 727 or use Web Chat
• Non-English speaking background – phone via the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.
• The after hours emergency call centre will continue to operate via the customer service number 5475 7272.
• Planning, plumbing and building enquiries can be made during business hours, Monday–Friday 8.30am–5pm, by phoning 5475 PLAN (7526).
You can also contact council via post or fax:
• Locked Bag 72, Sunshine Coast Mail Centre, QLD 4560
• Fax: (07) 5475 7277
Visit www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Council/Contact-Council to see all of the options available.

Cashless payments at resource recovery centres (tips)
If you are required to visit council’s waste facilities to dispose of excess general waste, council asks that you use tap-and-pay (PayWave) to make your payment.

The resource recovery centres remain open and household rubbish collection will continue as usual until further notice. As people spend more time at home and undertake home and garden maintenance, resource recovery centres are experiencing high numbers of customer visits and longer wait times. The move to cashless payments is intended to reduce the risk of transmitting infection via the handling of cash.

Residents are encouraged to use general waste bins as much as possible to dispose of general waste.

Boat ramps now closed
All recreational boating facilities across the Sunshine Coast, such as public boat ramps and pontoons, are now closed to non-essential users until further notice. Essential users include non-powered craft for exercise, powered craft for transport and fishing for food for your family. Please remember that the two-person limit or immediate family rules still apply.
This follows the most recent direction from the Queensland Government to limit the spread of coronavirus in our community.
Closure signage is progressively being rolled out to all impacted facilities.

Find out how to contact council online, by telephone, mail or email, after hours or in person at one of council's customer service centres

31/03/2020

I received these lovely words today from council officers. I have been very proud to work for and represent Div 5 and I thank the very hardworking staff from council who have helped me to deliver these fantastic community assets.

Jenny, Thank you for your support, contribution and service to the community and Council. During your term your advocacy, leadership and high standards for Division 5 is acknowledged. Your partnership is appreciated in the delivery of key projects to meet expectations of residents. This community has benefited from a range of exciting facilities and initiatives, including:

27/03/2020

A Local Business supporting a Local Businesses - thank you

COVID-19 Editorial Assistance

The Coronavirus is a health crisis. For many it’s also a business crisis.

The Sunshine Valley Gazette can’t change the chaos that is out of everyone’s control, but we can be there for you, at least in a small way.

We are offering the business community free editorial notices outlining any new services you have created or adaptations you have made to your existing business in light of COVID-19.

For instance: are you offering new hours of business, new operational procedures, home deliveries, takeaways or any other special services? Is there anything you want to say? ... eg “We’re still open” or “We’ve implemented the following practices”.

Let us know. In about 50-200 words. It’s important that we stick together at times like this.

Please send your notice via return email to [email protected] if you think we can help.

We know people flock to trusted media in times of crisis as a source of local news. Our aim is to cover stories about coping and caring in the next edition.

Thanks for your business and we hope we may be able help you send important messages to our 10,000-plus readers.

best wishes,
Cameron & Tanya Outridge
SunshineValleyGazette.com.au
Latest Edition

Enter once by filling in the form below. Stay in the monthly Draw to Win a Business Feature, valued at $395 for only $195.

26/03/2020

Dear Smart Pups Supporters,

Now more than ever we wish we could be sending you happy news and provide a distraction from the continual barrage of messages around Covid 19. When we say that we hope this message finds you well, we sincerely mean it.

If you are receiving this email it is because you are or have previously been one of our valued Smart Pup fosters. You know what is involved in caring for our trainee assistance dogs and understand the importance of maintaining their high degree of training.

Like so many individuals, businesses and organisations, Smart Pups Assistance Dogs is facing uncertain times ahead. Our number one priority is the safety of our staff, clients, volunteers and wider community. We are closely following all recommendations and restrictions set in place by the government to do our part in limiting the spread of this virus.

In practical terms this means the cancellation all scheduled fundraising events into the foreseeable future, ceasing all training in enclosed public spaces, the impeding suspension of our in-prison training program and most significantly postponing the placement of assistance dogs with families on our wait list, who reside outside Queensland.

We are heartbroken. All of us at Smart Pups and you our supporters, know what a difference these dogs make to our recipient families. Our medical alert dogs save lives and our autism and PTSD assistance dogs change lives, often where all other interventions have failed.

Our trainers are all currently working, and all doing volunteer hours as our donations dry up, and now is the time for us to put in place contingency plans in the event of further government restrictions or staff shortages.

Our plan at this stage is to compile a list of fosters who would be willing to take a Smart Pup into their home. Many of you who previously were only available to do weekend fostering may now be at home. Please consider helping us if you can. I am sure having a dog in your home at this time will bring many rewards in terms of both physical and mental health.

We freely admit we are still working through the logistics of how this might work. Every day is changing, so the timeframe and practicalities around foster support and provision of food still has to be worked out. This is just a first step in the process

Click here to register your interest: https://www.smartpups.org.au/support-during-covid-19/

In the meantime please accept our heartfelt thanks for your continued support, and our sincere hope that you and your loved ones keep safe and well in the weeks ahead.

With our warmest wishes,

The Smart Pups Team

25/03/2020

All Sunshine Coast Council Aquatic Centres are now closed

In consultation with its facilities operators, Sunshine Coast
Council has announced all of its aquatic centres are now closed.

The decision was made late this evening (Tuesday, March 24), with all aquatic centres closing their doors at 7pm and advising patrons on social media.
Sunshine Coast Council Mayor and Chair of the Local Disaster Management Group Mark Jamieson said council and the aquatic centre operators made this difficult decision in line with our collective community responsibility and commitment to the health and wellbeing of facility patrons.

“Council and the aquatic centre operators acknowledge the need to take every precautionary measure available to all of us to combat the spread of COVID-19,” Mayor Jamieson said.

The following aquatic centres are closed until further notice:
• Beerwah Aquatic Centre
• Buderim Aquatic Centre
• Caloundra Aquatic Centre
• Coolum-Peregian Aquatic Centre
• Cotton Tree Aquatic Centre
• Eumundi Aquatic Centre
• Kawana Aquatic Centre
• Nambour Aquatic Centre
• Palmwoods Aquatic Centre

Caloundra Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre and Eumundi Aquatic Centre also have gym facilities. These gyms are closed until further notice in line with the measures announced by the Australian Government on March 22.

For information about other council facilities and services during this time, visit council’s website www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au. The website will be updated if changes are made to council’s service delivery as a result of COVID-19.

24/03/2020

Project Carramar Ct Park – Playground renewal - Carramar Crt, Flaxton

24/03/2020

Thank goodness for those of us that “collect everything”. Whilst many shops have run out of seeds our previous little collector here has one of every kind thanks to the State Government , Sunshine Coast Daily and Woolworths

24/03/2020

CLOSURE OF THE COMMUNITY CENTRE - URGENT

Congratulations to the volunteers for all their hard work. Many will miss the service for its products and friendly conversation.
However, the health of the Nation must take first place.

Hi All

MVCA Inc. has a Duty of Care for not only our Volunteers, but all visitors, tradesmen etc. who visit the Community Centre.

We have been monitoring the evolving situation with the Corona 19 Virus in Queensland.

The pace of the virus is worrying for all of us, and especially for our Volunteers with compromised health and immune systems.

With this in mind, I ask that the Management Committee consider giving a directive to close the Mooloolah Community Centre for one month, from 24th March to 24th April, when the situation will again reviewed.

We can organise a group of willing Volunteers to check on the Centre daily, and clear the verandah of any donations. That is all that would be required at this point.

We should all try to support our local Mooloolah Valley businesses during this tough time, as a lack of customers will make life difficult for them to continue to operate in the future.

This is a very sad situation for all Australians, but we are a tough bunch, and we will come out the other side with our strength and resilience intact.

Kind Regards

Anita Verwayen
Secretary
MVCA Inc.

23/03/2020

Council COVID-19 update – Libraries to close, further business support

Sunshine Coast Council Mayor and Chair of the Local Disaster Management Group Mark Jamieson said our community needed to take the COVID-19 pandemic seriously and follow the instructions from our Federal and State authorities.

“In the wake of tighter public health restrictions announced last night, there are implications that will touch every member of our community in some way,” Mayor Jamieson said.
“You only need to look at the stringent measures that have been put in place in the UK, the USA and other nations to understand what is likely to occur if we do not strictly follow the instructions around social distancing, personal hygiene and not congregating in large groups,” Mayor Jamieson said.
“We are already seeing the rate of transmission accelerate in Queensland and Australia.

“The best health advice is that social distancing is the most effective tool available to combat the spread of COVID-19 in our community.

“So I am saying to all residents of the Sunshine Coast – keep your distance from one another, act responsibly and safely and don’t go out and congregate.

“Do it now, stay safe and think about the heal
th and safety of those around you,” Mayor Jamieson said.

In recognition of the rapidly evolving situation, the Sunshine Coast Local Disaster Management Group will move to ALERT status at 2pm today (23 March).

Council facilities

Council has today announced the following facilities will be closed from tomorrow in the interests of staff and community wellbeing and in line with the measures announced yesterday by the Australian Government:
• all Sunshine Coast Libraries,
• Bankfoot House at Glass House
• Caloundra Regional Gallery.
For information about other council facilities and services during this time, visit council’s website www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au. The website will be updated if changes are made to council’s service delivery as a result of COVID-19 and will include information on how to contact council.

Council is encouraging residents to make use of our extensive e-Library services which provides many resources to keep the whole family entertained, including eBooks, comics, eNewspapers, magazines, audiobooks, movies and even music.

Residents can set up a free library membership via the Library website.

Council customer service centres
Council customer service centres remain open but we encourage residents to use the extensive online options available. If you need to make a payment, card payments are preferred. Cash payments will be accepted if customers have no alternative. If you need to make a payment at the Sippy Creek Animal Pound, card payments are preferred.
Business support

Council today released a further business support package.

“We know how important small businesses are to our Sunshine Coast economy and council has moved quickly to complement the stimulus provided by the Australian and Queensland Governments,” Mayor Jamieson said.
Council will contact affected businesses to discuss the following additional support measures:
• Dedicated staff to assess temporary use permits
• Additional staff focused on building and plumbing approvals to ensure continuity of work/approvals
• Representations made to the State Government on kitchens/liquor licensing and Federal Government on stimulus to support sole suppliers
• Relaxation of curfews in relation to deliveries of essential items to supermarkets/pharmacies
• Footpath/outdoor dining and trading permit fees (reimbursement or waiver from 1 March to 31 July)
• Food licensing fees (reimbursement or waiver from 1 March to 31 August)
• Community event and major event permit fees (reimbursement/refunds from 1 March to 30 June or ability to postpone for 12 months and bond refunded until new date set)
• Commercial low-use/commercial high use permits (reimbursement or waiver from 1 March to 31 July)
• Filming application fees (reimbursement or waiver from 1 March to 30 June)
• Venue hire (bookings) - refunds and waiver of normal cancellation fees at all Council venues from 16 March to 30 June
• Infrastructure charges can be deferred up to three years with no interest payment in the first 12 months
• Parking regulators will issue warnings instead of infringements in general unless the infringement relates to health and safety issues or parking in disabled parking spaces
• Paid parking waiver for Bulcock Street, Caloundra from 1 April to 30 June.

Business owners and operators are encouraged to visit the Business Support web page at www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Business for up-to-date information.

Beaches
Beaches across the Sunshine Coast remain open. Council is working closely with Surf Life Saving Queensland as the situation evolves.

23/03/2020

Council COVID-19 update – Libraries to close, further business support

Sunshine Coast Council Mayor and Chair of the Local Disaster Management Group Mark Jamieson said our community needed to take the COVID-19 pandemic seriously and follow the instructions from our Federal and State authorities.

“In the wake of tighter public health restrictions announced last night, there are implications that will touch every member of our community in some way,” Mayor Jamieson said.

“You only need to look at the stringent measures that have been put in place in the UK, the USA and other nations to understand what is likely to occur if we do not strictly follow the instructions around social distancing, personal hygiene and not congregating in large groups,” Mayor Jamieson said.
“We are already seeing the rate of transmission accelerate in Queensland and Australia.

“The best health advice is that social distancing is the most effective tool available to combat the spread of COVID-19 in our community.

“So I am saying to all residents of the Sunshine Coast – keep your distance from one another, act responsibly and safely and don’t go out and congregate.

“Do it now, stay safe and think about the health and safety of those around you,” Mayor Jamieson said.
In recognition of the rapidly evolving situation, the Sunshine Coast Local Disaster Management Group will move to ALERT status at 2pm today (23 March).

Council facilities

Council has today announced the following facilities will be closed from tomorrow in the interests of staff and community wellbeing and in line with the measures announced yesterday by the Australian Government:
• all Sunshine Coast Libraries,
• Bankfoot House at Glass House
• Caloundra Regional Gallery.
For information about other council facilities and services during this time, visit council’s website www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au. The website will be updated if changes are made to council’s service delivery as a result of COVID-19 and will include information on how to contact council.

Council is encouraging residents to make use of our extensive e-Library services which provides many resources to keep the whole family entertained, including eBooks, comics, eNewspapers, magazines, audiobooks, movies and even music.

Residents can set up a free library membership via the Library website.

Council customer service centres
Council customer service centres remain open but we encourage residents to use the extensive online options available. If you need to make a payment, card payments are preferred. Cash payments will be accepted if customers have no alternative. If you need to make a payment at the Sippy Creek Animal Pound, card payments are preferred.

Business support

Council today released a further business support package.
“We know how important small businesses are to our Sunshine Coast economy and council has moved quickly to complement the stimulus provided by the Australian and Queensland Governments,” Mayor Jamieson said.
Council will contact affected businesses to discuss the following additional support measures:
• Dedicated staff to assess temporary use permits
• Additional staff focused on building and plumbing approvals to ensure continuity of work/approvals
• Representations made to the State Government on kitchens/liquor licensing and Federal Government on stimulus to support sole suppliers
• Relaxation of curfews in relation to deliveries of essential items to supermarkets/pharmacies
• Footpath/outdoor dining and trading permit fees (reimbursement or waiver from 1 March to 31 July)
• Food licensing fees (reimbursement or waiver from 1 March to 31 August)
• Community event and major event permit fees (reimbursement/refunds from 1 March to 30 June or ability to postpone for 12 months and bond refunded until new date set)
• Commercial low-use/commercial high use permits (reimbursement or waiver from 1 March to 31 July)
• Filming application fees (reimbursement or waiver from 1 March to 30 June)
• Venue hire (bookings) - refunds and waiver of normal cancellation fees at all Council venues from 16 March to 30 June
• Infrastructure charges can be deferred up to three years with no interest payment in the first 12 months
• Parking regulators will issue warnings instead of infringements in general unless the infringement relates to health and safety issues or parking in disabled parking spaces
• Paid parking waiver for Bulcock Street, Caloundra from 1 April to 30 June.

Business owners and operators are encouraged to visit the Business Support web page at www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Business for up-to-date information.

Beaches
Beaches across the Sunshine Coast remain open. Council is working closely with Surf Life Saving Queensland as the situation evolves.