Final results for Division 4 Councillor have not been officially declared by the Queensland Electoral Commission.   As of 4th May, with 85.4% of the roll counted, Lance Hewlett led Louise Denisenko 40.45% to 34.13%:

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	LOUISE DENISENKO http://louisedenisenko.com
	GEOFFREY FOWLER http://www.geofffowler.com.au/
	LANCE HEWLETT http://lancehewlett.com.au/
	LEEANN LILLICRAP http://www.leeannlillicrap.com/

DIVISION 4 covers Victoria Point and Coochiemudlo Island.

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Nowhere in Redland city, including its six main islands, will get the NBN in the next three years, according to NBN Co maps showing the network rollout.

Under the National Broadband-Network rollout plan, 93 per cent of the nation will get high-speed fibre broadband, 4 per cent will get fixed wireless and 3 per cent next-generation satellite services. Residents have been told to prepare for fixed wireless services, run from a tower, rather than the high-speed and more efficient fibre-optic cable service to their homes.

Queensland Senator Claire Moore made the comment on Thursday and said Redlands was “looking more at wireless than the NBN” mainly because of the city’s existing infrastructure.

Her comments were backed up by digital expert Dave Abrahams, who is an independent NBN advocate for the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.

While in Redlands last week, Mr Abrahams spoke to Mayor Melva Hobson on the rollout and addressed Coochiemudlo Island Progress Association, telling members to organise themselves and start lobbying the federal government for fibre-optic cable.

He said there would be “an announcement in the next week about fixed-wireless which would be interesting to Redlands” but it was unlikely any parts of the east coast would be included in the three per cent of the population to get the inferior satellite services.

Senator Moore’s claims about fixed-wireless services contradicted a press release she released last Tuesday saying “construction of the fibre network in Redlands would begin progressively between April 1, 2012 and June 30, 2015″.

Her press release about the rollout of the fibre-optic network was released the same day Cr Hobson told a forum on Macleay Island that Redlands was in line to get the broadband network in the next three years.

“We are not sure just which is what and where but we have the letter (from NBN chief executive Mike Quigley) to say we’re in and that we will know next week (April10) just which of the areas (will get NBN),” the mayor told the crowd.

Go to the Bayside Bulletin for the original article

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REDLAND City Council chief executive Gary Stevenson said this week’s 6.7 per cent drop in land valuations across the city “did not necessarily” equate to a rate reduction.

The valuations, a snapshot of land values on October 1, 2011, include a 4.9 per cent drop in the value of residential properties.

Mr Stevenson said the fall in residential valuations did not mean rates would fall 4.9 per cent and said policy also influenced rates.

He said rates were set using a range of factors including land valuations and “it is too early to speculate on how these valuations will impact on the rates for 2012-2013″.

“Where we have very different valuation movements across the city, there will be a shift in the rate burden from one area to another,” Mr Stevenson said.

“If an area is significantly different to the average of the city, as a general rule, it will probably pay less but other parts of the city will make up for that.

“So (this news) can mean areas where valuations have gone down by much more than the average across the city, will end up paying less rates.

“Council’s budget and rates for 2012-13 will be determined and agreed by the newly elected council following the council elections on April 28,” he said.

Mr Stevenson said the figures, released on Wednesday by the Department of Environment and Resource Management, proved there was still volatility in the local property market.

He said the figures also showed properties at the higher end of the market had experienced a valuation correction after last year’s 7 per cent increase to mainland residential property values.

Valuer-General Neil Bray said property values at the lower end of the market, including some of the bay islands, had suffered due to the lack of sales.

Mr Bray said despite the city-wide fall of 6.9 per cent, which included an 8per cent slump in the average commercial property value, non-waterfront residential land retained its value.

This year, not one of the 23 recorded Redland residential suburbs where land valuations are recorded, experienced a rise in valuations.

Hardest hit were parts of North Stradbroke Island and the bay islands, where the median valuation on Russell Island fell a whopping 31.9 per cent to $24,500, down from $36,000 in 2010.

North Stradbroke Island land values recorded small reductions at Dunwich, down 4.4 per cent, and Amity Point, down 4.8 per cent, with the higher-valued Point Lookout falling 17.8 per cent.

Coochiemudlo Island recorded a fall in valuation of 20 per cent, with the median price for a block of land there $146,000.

Land on Lamb Island dropped 19.8 per cent in value, bringing the average value of a residential block of land on the island to $38,500, down from $48,000 in the 2010 valuation.

Mr Bray said the fall in land value on Russell Island was consistent with the slump in demand for bay island lands “which have limited access and limited development potential”.

Mainland suburbs that fared the best were Alexandra Hills, Birkdale, Capalaba, Sheldon and Thorneside, which all recorded neutral land valuations.

Mr Bray said median land value in Victoria Point fell 10.4per cent, which he said was consistent with the softening market for higher-valued lands.

Reductions in land values of about 10 per cent were recorded in the investor-driven commercial, industrial and multi-unit sectors in Cleveland and Capalaba.

Residential units land also fell in value by about 10 per cent, but residential rural lands recorded little to no change. Valuations will be posted to Redland residents in May.

Go to the Bayside Bulletin for the original article.

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The valuations, a snapshot of land values on October 1, 2011, include a 4.9 per cent drop in the value of residential properties.

Hardest hit were parts of North Stradbroke Island and the bay islands, where the median valuation on Russell Island fell a whopping 31.9 per cent to $24,500.

Residential land values in Redland City fell mainly as a result of declines in waterfront and bay island land values since the previous median value set in October 2010.

The figures, released on Wednesday by the Department of Environment and Resource Management, came after last year’s 7 per cent rise in the value of mainland residential land.

This year, not one of the 23 recorded Redland residential suburbs, where land valuations are recorded, experienced a rise in valuations.

The median value of land on Russell Island is now $24,500, down from $36,000 at the 2010 valuation and Coochiuemudlo Island recorded a fall in valuation of 20 per cent.

Land on Lamb Island dropped 19.8 per cent in value bringing the average value of a residential block of land on the island to $38,500, down from $48,000 in the 2010 valuation.

Stradbroke Island land values recorded small reductions at Dunwich and Amity Point with moderate declines at the higher-valued Point Lookout.

Valuer-General Neil Bray said despite the city-wide fall of 6.9 per cent, which included an 8per cent slump in the average commercial property value, non-waterfront residential land retained its value.

That was evident with five suburbs – Alexandra Hills, Birkdale, Capalaba Sheldon and Thorneside – all recording neutral land valuations.

Mr Bray said median land value in Victoria Point fell approximately 10 per cent, which he said was consistent with the softening market for higher-valued lands.

He said the fall in land value on Russell Island was consistent with reduced demand for bay island lands which have limited access and limited development potential.

Go to the Bayside Bulletin for the original article

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Enrolment and voting are compulsory.

The electoral roll for the Local Government elections closes on Tuesday January 31.

The Queensland’s Electoral Commissioner also warned prospective candidates to check their enrolment to make sure they were eligible to stand.

Candidates may only stand as a candidate for the council area in which they are enrolled.

Nomination of candidates officially opens on Saturday, February 11 and closes on Tuesday, February 28.

Processing of postal vote applications will commence in early March, with pre-poll centres open from March 19.

To enrol, visit www.ecq.qld.gov.au

Go to the Bayside Bulletin for the original article

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Coochie had 11 first aid teams competing in the championships and every team managed to win a medal.

Pictured are team members (back row, from left) Amber Smith, Erin Dunlevie, Georgia Muller, Brooke Patman, Renee Ould, (front row) Lukas Keating, Harrison Gordon, Jarrod Salt and Caige Price.

“These children are amazing first aiders and you would be very happy to have them around in time of a real emergency,” Coochie club president Colin Sloane said

Coochie’s top medal winners:

Under 12 gold – James Daff & Jarrod Salt

Under 13 gold – Amber Smith & Erin Dunlevie; silver- Lukas Keating & Harry Gordon

Under 14 gold- Georgia Muller & Renee Ould; silver- Brooke Patman & Caige Price

Under 15 gold- Georgia Muller & Eliza Kerr

Under 16 gold- Nicola Horsfall & Tiffany Smith

Under 19 gold- Nicola & Sophie Horsfall; silver – Lauren Cantrill & Tiffany Smith

Open gold – Nicola & Sophie Horsfall; silver – Lauren Cantrill & Tiffany Smith

Go to the Bayside Bulletin for the original article

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• Coochiemudlo Island Barge Service Timetable
• Coochiemudlo Island Schedule of Barge Fees

The only change to the timetable is an additional service for an earlier start (6:00AM on Monday-Friday and 7:00AM on Saturday-Sunday) from Victoria Point.  Barge fees, on the other hand, have changed (ie increased) across the board. 

Bookings are essential and will be accepted at (07) 3820 6557 | 0400 919 033 during the following times:

• Monday – Friday:  8:00AM – 4:00PM
• Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays:  8:30AM – 12:30PM

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JUDITH KERR
9 January 2012 12:00AM

THIS year’s Redland City Council election in March is tipped to be a tough political battle between the Mayor, Melva Hobson, and her only challenger, Karen Williams.

Although the election has not been officially declared, it is expected all local councils in Queensland will go to the polls on March 31.

However, the local election date could change if Queensland Premier Anna Bligh decides to call a state election on that date.

The Premier has until Saturday, June 16, to hold an election with the shortest campaign period being 21 days.

Political analysts have tipped the mostly likely date for the Premier to call the election to be Saturday, May 19.

In Redland City, there are 10 divisions.

 To date, only one sitting councillor – Deputy Mayor Cr Murray Elliott (Division 7, Alexandra Hills) – is running uncontested.

In Division 1, which includes Wellington Point and Ormiston, Corinne Tomasi will challenge Cr Wendy Boglary.

In Division 2, which takes in Cleveland and North Stradbroke Island, 50-year-old musical salesman Jon Carson, will challenge Cr Craig Ogilvie.

Brian Howard-Clarke, who has a business background running “not for profit” organisations will contest Division 3, which includes Cleveland South and Thornlands and is represented by Cr Debra Henry.

Mr Howard-Clarke ran for Division 4 at a by- election in 2009 created when Cr Peter Dowling left local politics and won the state seat of Redlands.

Lance Hewlett, who worked in digital print media, will go head to head with Point Halloran resident Louise Denisenko in Division 4, which takes in Victoria Point and Coochiemudlo.

It is expected that long-serving councillor John Burns will step back from politics and will not contest the election.

Mark Edwards and former policeman Mike Verry will challenge Cr Barbara Townsend for Division 5, which takes in Redland Bay and the Southern Moreton Bay Islands.

In Division 6 (Mount Cotton, Sheldon and parts of Capalaba), business owner Bruce Smith and school teacher Julie Talty will challenge long- serving Mount Cotton resident Toni Bowler.

Musical director Alan Beard and environmentalist Dianne Hausler will challenge Cr Kathy Reimers in Division 8, which encompasses Birkdale.

Division 9, which takes in Capalaba and is held by mayoral candidate Cr Karen Williams, will contested by builder Brett Thompson and Ace Driving School instructor Alan Roche.

Birkdale businessman Richard Matterson will take on Cr Helen Murray in Division 10, which includes Birkdale and Thorneside.

Go to the original article: http://www.baysidebulletin.com.au/news/local/news/general/challengers-line-up-for-council-poll/2414207.aspx

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JUDITH KERR
4 Jan 2012 10:05AM

Coochiemudlo Island residents are adjusting to life with a new barge operator after Moreton Island barge owner Steve Wallace bought the beleaguered Megamia Barge service on December 22.

Mr Wallace, who owns the six-car barge Scorpio which services southern Moreton Island from Amity Point, will run Megamia Barges’ 13-car Sirenia and the smaller six-car Megamia under the Amity Trader brand.

Lamb Island resident Donna Davis had run the Megamia Barge service for 10 years since the death of her husband Ray in 2001.

Last year, Ms Davis’s two boats were taken out of service for failing Maritime Safety Queensland regulations and a man was charged with unlicensed driving.

Services were further disrupted when cables holding up the drawbridge on the Sirenia snapped, the boat’s gearbox blew up and it ran aground.

Redland City Council gave Mr Wallace a temporary landing permit in November so he could keep services to the island running while Ms Davis’s two boats were repaired and refitted.

On December 22, the council gave Mr Wallace permanent landing rights for Victoria Point and Coochiemudlo Island at a cost of about $10,000.

The Megamia barge, which failed an MSQ seaworthiness certificate in September, is now being overhauled and is under survey.

It is expected Megamia will be back in the water in April and Scorpio will stand as backup to Sirenia during busy periods.

Mr Wallace, who holds a Master Class 4 licence, said he would continue to run the seven-day-a-week Coochiemudlo Island barge service from Victoria Point using the Sirenia and would stick to the existing timetable.

He said prices and contact details would not change and he would drive the boat three days a week with a roster of captains.

“We are pleased to be here,” Mr Wallace told Redland Times.

“We have been welcomed by the community and we look forward to a long and happy relationship with locals, tourists and businesses.

“We are here for the long haul and hope to gradually improve services to Coochie,” Mr Wallace said.

As well as the daily services to Coochiemudlo Island from Victoria Point, Amity Trader will also offer services including bulk haulage, house moving, heavy machinery transport and charter operations for diving and offshore support.

Go to the original article: http://www.baysidebulletin.com.au/news/local/news/general/new-owner-for-coochie-barge-company/2409897.aspx

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