1. Little Liverpool Range boost for wildlife
The future of natural habitat and wildlife species, including the Glossy-Black Cockatoo, Powerful Owl, Brush Tailed Rock Wallaby and Little Pied Bat, in the Little Liverpool Range have been assured following a new partnership between key landowners, council and conservation groups.
It is valued for its biodiversity value with little or no pressure from urban development. This makes it ideal for long-term conservation for future generations.
The Little Liverpool Range Initiative has been built on a strong partnership with Gainsdale Group (Hidden Vale) and Queensland Trust for Nature.
It brings together stakeholders including private landowners and neighbouring councils with a common goal of conservation.
2. Community grants benefit worms and wickets
Council’s Community Development Grant program has seen $1250 grants for the Northside Cricket Club to assist with new playing kit for juniors and equipment for seniors; and Goodna State School to build a commercial grade earthworm farm.
With the cricket season already upon us, providing the necessary sporting and safety equipment to these teams will encourage more young people to get active and involved in cricket.
The worm farm at Goodna State School is a terrific project to teach students the importance of composting and its value to our environment. I’m sure the students will have plenty of fun as well.
These worthwhile initiatives offer these young cricketers and students more opportunities to play and learn.
3. indigenous community provides key advice
A new advisory group consisting of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and non-Indigenous members has been set up to provide advice to Ipswich City Council on matters relating to the Indigenous community.
It is a community-wide advisory group made up of 13 members open to all sectors of the community including non-Indigenous people whose organisations provide services to the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
Importantly, it will also be an opportunity to advocate for change to improve the social and economic outcomes.
This group will also provide a sounding board for council on relevant issues and will be consulted by council in relation to issues of identified importance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents.
4. Motorists taught about safer school driving
Council will speak directly to school communities, including drivers/parents and children, in a bid to improve safe road travel and safe parking within school zones. Broader measures will come into force for the 2018 Safer Schools parking Program.
The current Safer School Parking Program has a high impact on Council resources and unless officers have a continuous physical presence at schools, behaviour change of drivers picking up their children from school has proven to be very limited.
This has triggered Council to review the current program to see where positive impacts may be made and to determine how Council can assist schools to build capacity within their school community
Promoting education to school communities about the benefits of safe road travel and safe parking will enhance the health and wellbeing of our community. This approach allows people the opportunity to correct their behaviour without receiving a penalty infringement notice in most cases.
5. Libraries to keep in touch with technology
Ipswich Libraries has launched a new series of its highly successful In Touch With Tech program aimed at making people more computer and intervet savvy. The program caters for a variety of skill levels and offers diversity in interest.
The new technology programs will provide opportunities for community members to build their digital literacy awareness and skill levels. Access to digital skill development opportunities contributes to increasing digital inclusion and helps reduce social isolation.
These programs, through the use of technology, provide for educational, experiential and creative learning and support the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) movement through improved access to technology.
The provision of opportunities to improve digital literacy skills will also help participants with life skills to aid with employment, socialisation, communication and current affairs.
