The Lockyer Valley Regional Council plans to build upon the area’s rich history in agribusiness, enhancing the region’s versatility as a rural education and innovative business hub.
Lockyer Valley is well known in Australian agribusiness circles – largely because of its role through the University of Queensland’s Gatton Agricultural College as a rural industries educator – but from 2008 the region began to come up in other contexts.
A major reason was the historic swearing in of the Mayor and Councillors of the new Lockyer Valley Regional Council on April 2 – the catalyst for a range of progressive decisions on the future of the area.
The council has moved rapidly to drive Lockyer Valley’s economic prosperity, including securing a 450 acre site near Gatton for major regional events, pressing ahead with the new Arts and Cultural Centre, supporting the new Centre for Advanced Animal Science (CAAS) at The University of Queensland’s Gatton Campus, and supporting the Queensland Government’s new prison and correctional precinct at Gatton.
Perhaps unique to Lockyer Valley, the new five-prison correctional precinct is roundly welcomed to the region as another leg of economic prosperity that joins agribusiness, education and transport. Increasingly, the region is also becoming recognised as a special interest travel destination – and plans for a major new events centre should capitalise on that.
Apart from Lockyer Valley’s appeal for Brisbane day-trippers, skydivers and light aviation enthusiasts, the transport industry has cottoned on to the advantages of the region. Its main artery between Ipswich and Toowoomba, the Warrego Highway feeds a range of other main highways that lead to North Queensland, the Northern Territory and New South Wales. Gatton-based Nolan’s Transport, for example, has 200 trucks and is one of the valley’s biggest employers.
The last Mayor of the Gatton Shire, Steve Jones became the first Mayor of the Lockyer Valley Regional Council on April 2, 2008. His pledge was followed by that of elected Councillors Graham Moon, Dave Neuendorf, Janice Holstein, Tanya Milligan, Jim McDonald and Peter Friend. Former Laidley Shire Mayor, Graham Moon was elected as Deputy-Mayor of the new council.
For the business community, another key appointment was that of Colin O’Connor as Chief Executive Officer on April 23, following his stint as Interim then Acting CEO in the process of amalgamating the former Laidley and Gatton Shire Councils on March 15.
Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor, Steve Jones said Mr O’Connor’s appointment was an important step forward for the council.
“The council can now get on and officially adopt the workforce structure set in place during the transition phase between the old councils and the new council,” Mayor Jones said.
Each councillor has been assigned a portfolio for their four-year term in office, with Mayor Jones responsible for Regional Development and Public Relations, Deputy-Mayor Moon Engineering Services, Cr Friend Community Services, Cr Holstein on Tourism, Finance and Information Services, Cr McDonald Technical Services, Cr Milligan Corporate Governance, Youth and Community, and Cr Neuendorf on Planning, Building and Environment.
AGRIBUSINESS HUB
The Lockyer Valley has a strong national and international reputation as an agribusiness hub and that is sure to be enhanced as the new Centre for Advanced Animal Science (CAAS) at The University of Queensland’s (UQ) Gatton Campus develops.
Stage one of the $33million UQ Gatton CAAS development officially opened in November 2007. CAAS is a joint project between the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries and UQ.
Queensland Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F), Tim Mulherin said the CAAS development boasts world-class research facilities in the areas of animal growth, adaptation, welfare, health and vaccines.
“These are key areas of strategic investment to ensure continued growth, diversification and protection of Queensland's animal industries,” Mr Mulherin said. He said the centre encouraged increased national and international collaboration between scientists in the developed and developing world and also strengthened the interaction between researchers and industry to “ensure that research and development leads to rapid practical outcomes”.
The first stage of CAAS incorporates grouped and individual animal pens for nutrition trials, a feed processing shed, cattle handling yards and large hay shed.
CAAS has been funded by UQ, DPI&F and the Queensland Government Smart State Research Facilities Fund.
Executive Dean of the Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science at the UQ Gatton Campus, Roger Swift said shared funding of CAAS was an excellent example of the scale of research infrastructure achievable with multi-institutional partnerships.
Professor Swift said, “CAAS will provide advanced education and training for future generations of researchers and practitioners in the animal industries. The development perfectly complements the existing animal infrastructure at the Gatton Campus, which includes a modern dairy, piggery, poultry unit, equine centre and wildlife enclosure.
“Together with a planned $75million re-location of the University’s School of Veterinary Science to the Gatton Campus, scheduled to be completed by mid-2009, the CAAS development will position Queensland as host to some of the best animal industries facilities in the southern hemisphere.”
In December 2008, the Australian Government announced it would contribute $47million to build the School of Veterinary Science at UQ’s Gatton campus.
UQ vice chancellor, Paul Greenfield, said the funds announced by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd were a tremendous investment in the education of veterinarians, and in the future of animal health and welfare.
UQ’s relocation of its School of Veterinary Science from St Lucia in Brisbane to UQ Gatton, is expected to cost more than $100million in total and will make the facility the most comprehensive animal research and teaching centre in Australia.
“Combined with the new $33 million Queensland Government-funded Centre for Advanced Animal Science at Gatton, the new School of Veterinary Science will create one of the best precincts for animal-related teaching, and research and development, anywhere in the subtropics,” Professor Greenfield said.
UQ has allocated $25million of its own reserves towards the School of Veterinary Science project, with a further $20million from the university’s allocation from the Better Universities Renewal Funding Initiative announced in the 2008 Federal Budget.
Construction is expected to be completed in late 2009, in time for Veterinary Science students to begin the 2010 academic year at UQ Gatton.
EVENTS CENTRE
Lockyer Valley Regional Council is establishing a major events centre, purchasing more than 450 acres of land north-west of the Gatton township, in a move which will eventually replace the existing Gatton Showgrounds
The land was purchased as part of council’s negotiations with the Department of Corrective Services, which is establishing a world-class correctional precinct near Gatton.
The new events hub will incorporate the region’s showground, Equestrian Centre, Speedway and other community facilities, while the existing showground site will be developed to include the new Aquatic Centre, also to be funded by the Department of Corrective Services, as well as most of the State Government services in Gatton such as the Fire Station, Police Station, Court House, Ambulance Station and State Emergency Services (SES) facilities.
Mayor Jones said the site would be master planned to cater for a variety of events.
“Council will be engaging a consultant to master plan the site and engage with the community to ensure that facilities which are built on this site are in line with the community expectations,” Cr Jones said.
The new events site is located about 5km from the centre of Gatton and is adjacent to the Warrego Highway, Karraschs Road and part of Smithfield Road.
Meanwhile construction of the Lockyer Valley Regional Council’s new Arts and Cultural Centre at Lake Apex in Gatton is nearing completion by contractors Boss Constructions.
The $12.5million Arts and Cultural Centre will house state-of-the-art facilities including a new library, art gallery, visitor information centre and café, 200-seat conference and meeting room facility and a transport museum.
Construction of the facility was made possible with a $3million grant from the Queensland Government’s Q150 Legacy Infrastructure Program and separate funding from the Department of Corrective Services. Construction of the Arts and Cultural Centre is expected to be completed in April 2009.
CORRECTIONAL PRECINCT
One of the biggest economic drivers for the Lockyer Valley Regional Council in the coming years is the development of Queensland Government’s new Correctional Precinct near Gatton.
Economic estimates for the precinct’s trade value to the region run at more than $300million. At the centre of the precinct is the first example of what the Queensland Government calls its ‘prisons of the future’ which will have a staff of about 1750 when completed. Gatton was selected because of the support of the council, its proximity to Brisbane and the existing Wacol prison precinct and its population base.
The first stage in a four-year development program includes a 300-bed women’s prison and 500-bed men’s prison. Hospice facilities for elderly prisoners will also be included at the site.
Only about 15 percent of the land area of the site is bounded by secure razor wire perimeter fencing as most of the land is used as buffer zone. The the prison is not be visible from major roadways.
Work began in late 2008 with Baulderstone Horibrook as the managing contractor.
Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence said the first stage of this major project will be the building of a 300 bed women’s prison.
“The completion of the women’s centre, expected in 2011, is anticipated to create about 200 new jobs in a range of roles including custodial officers, programs staff, administration and intelligence. Future stages will include a men’s prison, with room for at least two more facilities, with the site having the potential to deliver up to 3000 beds and five prison facilities if necessary.
“This government had the foresight to secure this 600 hectare block of land so we could build the prisons of the future, to ensure we can continue to accommodate growing prisoner populations,” Ms Spence said.
“As we continue to increase the number of police on the streets, and arm them with tough legislation to crack down on criminals; it is inevitable that more people will end up behind bars. That is why we are taking action now to secure Tomorrow’s Queensland, by building and planning for the future.”
LIFESTYLE DIVIDENDS
Lockyer Valley’s semi-rural lifestyle is attracting some of Queensland’s best builders and developers to meet the demand.
Soon to be Lockyer Valley’s largest master-planned community, Trinity Development Group’s Woodlands Rise offers affordable fully-serviced acreage land an hour’s drive west of Brisbane. Woodlands Rise will effectively double the current population of Gatton with a total of 2200 home sites to be established over the next 20 years in what is a $300million development.
The presence of Trinity Development Group – which has a diverse national pipeline of projects with an end value in excess of $2billion and is a wholly-owned development subsidiary of the listed Trinity Group (ASX: TCQ) – is significant at this early stage of introducing master-planned developments to the Lockyer region.
Trinity, and its development brand Consolidate Properties, is headquartered in Brisbane and the group has a national workbook of diversified development projects across the commercial, industrial, retail, residential and land sectors. Trinity Development Group’s strength is its ability to recognise opportunity in a market and utilise this expertise to work through varied market conditions in delivering innovative and creative developments. Woodlands Rise is designed to set the benchmark for quality semi-rural communities in the region.
The Gatton property market in general is expected to continue to perform well, with significant infrastructure upgrades and new amenities planned for the near future, which will also boost employment opportunities in the region.
In recent times some of the smaller rural communities on the eastern edge of Lockyer, such as Plainland and Hatton Vale, have experienced an influx of residents, many of whom work in the closeby Ipswich area or at the RAAF’s ‘superbase’ at Amberley.
For Lockyer Valley, it’s an exciting time of transition from what was once Queensland’s ‘food bowl’ to what is now a diverse economy underpinning a uniquely desirable lifestyle.
RESOURCES MAPPED OUT
Lockyer Valley Regional Council (LVRC) has prepared a Natural Resources Management Action Plan (NRM) to direct the future of the region.
Lockyer Region Council covers an area of 2270 square kilometres and contains a wide range of valuable natural resources which support: the production of nearly a third of vegetables in Queensland; the production of beef and depasturing of horses; significant areas of biodiversity for South East Queensland; provision of water for local towns and Brisbane City; open space and recreation opportunities; a native hardwood timber industry, and a quarrying industry that supplies high quality sandstone.
Effective management of the Lockyer Valley’s natural resources is a vital part of the Queensland Government’s South East Queensland (SEQ) Regional Plan and a growing population will continue to place large demands on resources of the area. The challenge will be planning for the demands for living space and the clear desire of the SEQ Regional Plan to maintain a viable rural industry and rural community.
The NRM plan identifies the key challenges as the sustainable management of water resources which have been used in excess of their annual yield, maintain extensive areas of natural vegetation to protect biodiversity and good alluvial soil resources for intensive horticultural production.
The LVRC NRM Action Plan aligns with objectives and strategies contained in the SEQ Regional Plan, the SEQ Natural Resource Management Plan and the SEQ Catchments NRM Plan. Other government plans were consulted in drafting the NRM Action Plan, including Healthy Waterways strategies, the Gatton and Laidley Shire Council Town Planning Schemes, Corporate Plans and Biodiversity Recovery Plans. Also consulted was the South East Queensland ‘Back on Track’ Biodiversity Action Plan.
As time progresses, Lockyer Valleyt Regional Council plans to become a carbon offset provider.
TOURIST TRACK
Gorman’s Gap, Queensland’s oldest gazetted road, is now a valuable tourist attraction, thanks to the work of 19 young adults from the Lockyer Valley region.
Visitors to Gorman’s Gap can now access a new walking trail that follows the historical path Aboriginal tribes and early European settlers took to cross the mountain range.
A plaque was unveiled last year marking the history of the track as well as the contribution of the Green Corps teams. The Gorman’s Gap Restoration Project, a Greening Lockyer initiative, has been delivered by the former Gatton Shire Council and two Job Futures SEQ Green Corps teams to restore the historical roadway, introducing picnic areas, clearing weeded areas, restoring natural vegetatiosn and installing erosion control measures.
YOUTH COUNCIL
Lockyer Valley Regional Council has moved to give young people a voice by establishing a Youth Council in the region.
Lockyer Valley Regional Council’s Youth and community development officer, Dulce Row said the aims of the Youth Council were to provide a linkage between youth and the council.
“The main aim is to provide a youth-driven forum for the purpose of suggesting ideas, voicing issues or concerns and promoting community spirit for young people in the region,”Ms Row said.
Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor Steve Jones said the initiative was an important part of what the council would be trying to achieve.
“It’s important that council gains the views of young people because they are the future of our area and we certainly need to value their input,” Cr Jones said.
HERITAGE FESTIVAL
THE township of Laidley is gearing up for the annual Heritage Festival to be held on April 19.
The Laidley Pioneer Village and Das Neumann Haus will be a hive of activity as locals and visitors come together to celebrate the ‘pioneering spirit’ of the district along with the German heritage.
The Pioneer Village will be open from 7am and Das Neumann Haus will be open from 9am. The festival is an initiative of the Lockyer Valley Regional Council’s Executive Office department.
This year’s National Heritage Week theme is ‘Coming to Queensland’ and the Laidley festival has further adopted ‘The Pioneering Spirit’ as part of that theme. The theme focuses on: who were the people that came to Queensland, why they came, how they got here, and what they did when they arrived.
The volunteers of Das Neumann Haus and the Laidley Pioneer Village have planned a fun filled day of activities and festivities for locals and visitors alike.
MARKETS THRIVE
An integral part of Lockyer Valley’s tourism appeal is its regular series of farmers and general markets.
Gatton Markets – Second Saturday of the month, 6am-12pm, Gatton Showgrounds.
Laidley Village Markets – Every Friday, Main Street Laidley, 7am–1pm.
Ferrari Park – 4th Saturday of the month at Ferrari Park, Patrick Street, Laidley, 6am-12noon.
Plainland Markets – Every Sunday, Plainland Hotel, 7am–2pm.
Mulgowie Real Farmers Market – 1st Saturday of every month, 8am–11am, Mulgowie Hall Grounds, Mulgowie. ◊
LOCKYER VALLEY REGIONAL COUNCIL
Best-knownbrands
Queensland’s ‘Food Bowl’ – strong emphasis on agricultural production.
Local Government
Chief spokesperson
Mayor Steve Jones
Size of the organisation
Staff of 300, operating budget of $30million.
Contact
Lockyer Valley Regional Council CEO Colin O’Connor, coconnor@lvrc.qld.gov.au
Tel: 1300 005872 (LVRC)
Fax: +61 7 5462 3269
www.lockyervalley.qld.gov.au
Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.
|
