north queensland

Mountain Bike Strategy

Have your say for mountain bike strategy

Mountain biking enthusiasts and nature lovers are being asked for their input as the city plans for dedicated mountain bike trails across the Townsville region.

The Mountain Bike Strategy Survey is the first stage in preparing a strategy that would transform the sport into a key feature of the city and way of exploring the natural beauty of the region.

Acting Mayor Mark Molachino said the Survey will inform the 10-year strategy that is expected to be finalized later this year.

“One of the top factors identified in Council’s Liveability Study conducted last year was the access to the natural environment, and mountain biking is the perfect activity to achieve that.

“The Mountain Bike Survey will inform our 10-year strategy into trail development across the region while making the sport sustainable and accessible.

“Once this survey is closed, we will develop the draft strategy and then ask residents to provide feedback so we can ensure that this is a community-led initiative.”

Sports and Recreation Committee chairperson Maurie Soars said mountain biking has both physical and mental health benefits for participants.

“Mountain biking is a fast-growing sport that is quite popular in Townsville thanks to our fantastic natural environments, beautiful weather, and the accessibility to trails,” Cr Soars said.

“Research has linked the sport to not only physical health benefits that are inherent with any exercise, but there is evidence that suggests mountain biking can also play a role in improving mental health and reducing stress levels thanks to the proximity to the natural environment.

“We’re also very lucky to have an already established mountain biking group in Rockwheelers who do a lot of work to build and maintain the trails across the city.

“It makes sense to see how we can cater to the sport and improve the experience for those who want to get involved and participate, so I would urge anyone interested to have their say on the survey.”

Townsville City Council’s Mountain Bike Strategy Survey is live on Have Your Say now and closes on 19 August.

To complete the Mountain Biking Strategy survey, visit:https://haveyoursay.townsville.qld.gov.au/townsville-mountain-bike-strategy.

Queensland Border Restrictions

Queensland puts restrictions on Sydney travelers

Queensland has today declared the greater Sydney area a COVID-19 hotspot, following increasing cases across the NSW capital.

Today, 34 (31 new plus three previously declared) local government areas have been declared hotspots by the Chief Health Officer Dr. Jeannette Young, meaning as of 1 am Saturday, August 1, people who have been there within the last 14 days will be turned away at our border unless they are residents.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said community transmission had increased.

“We have seen more cases of community transmission spreading across a wider area of Sydney,” The Premier said.

“This includes areas frequented by tourists, travelers, and large numbers of Sydney locals.

“Throughout this pandemic, we have acted quickly to put the health of Queenslanders first.

“And that’s what we’re doing here.”

Deputy Premier and Health Minister Steven Miles said that since the weekend, cases of community transmission had arisen in Potts Point, the local government area that included Kings Cross.

“While overall case numbers in NSW have remained reasonably stable – between 10 to 20 a day – there are more cases, across more areas with an unknown source of infection.

“As of Friday, if you come from Sydney or anywhere in Victoria, you will be turned away at the border or be required to quarantine if you’re a Queensland resident.”

Dr. Young recommended any Queenslanders currently in these hotspots to make their way home before 1 am Saturday.

“If you are in Sydney please take this opportunity to come home to the safety of Queensland,” Dr Young said.

“If an area where you are staying or visiting is suddenly declared a hotspot while you are there, once you return to Queensland, you will have to quarantine for two weeks in a hotel at your own expense,” she said.

The only exception to this is people who are needed in Queensland for essential purposes and Queensland residents – these people can enter the state but will be required to quarantine in government-provided accommodation at their expense.

“Our job is to protect Queenslanders and, given the situation in Sydney and in Victoria, we need to implement tough measures.”

The fees for two weeks of accommodation, meals, and room cleaning are $2,800 for one adult; $3,710 for two adults in the same room; and $4,620 for two adults and two children in the same room.

For more information about public health directions, visit www.health.qld.gov.au.

Dr. Young encouraged all Queenslanders to remember hygiene basics, stay home if they were unwell, and to come forward and get tested if they had any symptoms.

ENDS

Media contact – Amy Hunter 0423 651 484

NSW declared hotspots as at 1 am August 1, 2020. This includes LGAs already declared.

Bayside
Blacktown City
Blue Mountains City
Burwood
Camden
Campbelltown City
Canada Bay City
Canterbury-Bankstown
Central Coast
Cumberland
Fairfield City
Georges River
Hawkesbury City
Hornsby Shire
Hunter’s Hill Municipality
Inner West
Ku-ring-gai
Lane Cove Municipality
Liverpool City
Mosman Municipality
North Sydney
Northern Beaches
Parramatta City
Penrith City
Randwick City
Ryde City
Strathfield Municipality
Sutherland Shire
Sydney City
The Hills Shire
Waverley
Willoughby City
Wollondilly Shire
Woollahra City

Stinger net installation starts this week

Nets are being rolled out at Townsville beaches this week to mark the start of the stinger season.

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said protecting locals and visitors to the city was a priority for Council.

“Enjoying our great beaches is part of the North Queensland lifestyle, which is why Council makes installing stinger nets a priority as we head into summer,” Cr Hill said.

“We have a high number of visitors to Townsville in the summer months, and these nets play a vital role in protecting everyone who wants to enjoy our beaches from stingers.

“Council installs six nets across the city to make sure locals and visitors can make the most of summer while staying safe.”

Community Health and Environment Committee Chair Cr Ann-Maree Greaney said it was important to remember that stinger nets weren’t a silver bullet for swim safety.

“The nets offer a high level of protection, but they can’t stop every sting,” Cr Greaney said.

“Swimmers should take other precautions like wearing a stinger suit and keeping a close eye on kids.”

For more information about stinger net locations and lifeguard patrols, visit http://bit.ly/2Ja7hIF.

Net installation

Tuesday, 29 October: Balgal Beach

Wednesday, 30 October: Magnetic Island

Thursday, 31 October: Strand

Friday, 1 November: Pallarenda

Townsville signs on as first North Queensland Welcoming City

Townsville is now the 40th Welcoming City in the country.

 

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill has signed on to the Welcoming Cities program, which helps councils and communities become more inclusive of all newcomers to the city.

 

Townsville’s strong liveability attributes make the city an attractive destination for migrants, 25,574 people who were living in the Townsville City Council in 2016 were born overseas, and 20% had arrived in Australia within the 5 years prior to 2016.

 

Cr Hill said Council was proud to sign on to the program, as it helped establish the city as having a positive reputation.

 

“Townsville is more multicultural now than ever before, and this is something we should celebrate,” Cr Hill said.

 

“The diversity of the local community is one of the things that makes Townsville such a vibrant place to live and work.

 

“We want to do everything we can to welcome and support migrants who choose to make Townsville their new home.”

 

Cr Hill said making the commitment allowed Council to become better informed about how to support migrants into the Townsville community.

 

“Becoming a Welcoming City gives Council new tools to help integrate migrants into the community,” she said.

 

“Council is constantly looking at how it can improve the experiences of newcomers to the city, which as we know can have positive effects on our economy and society.

 

“Being a Welcoming City will help Council see how it’s tracking with cultural diversity and inclusivity.”

 

Townsville joins Brisbane, Livingstone, Balonne, Central Highlands and Toowoomba in becoming a Queensland-based Welcoming City.

 

Locals Invited to get Involved with the Northern Fringe

The North Australian Festival of Arts (NAFA) is fast approaching in July and with it comes Townsville’s first ever Fringe Festival, the Northern Fringe.

Featuring live acts, music, comedy, cabaret and more, the Northern Fringe will be an inclusive and organic festival hosted in theatres, café’s, pop-up venues, laneways and street corners right across the city.

Art and performance of any kind are invited to be a part of the inaugural festival that will showcase Townsville as the arts and culture capital of North Australia.

Townsville City Council is holding an information night next Wednesday and is looking for artists, entertainers, venues and promoters to attend and find out how they can get involved in the Northern Fringe Festival.

Community and Cultural Development Committee Chair Cr Colleen Doyle said the Northern Fringe Festival is a perfect opportunity for the community to get involved in NAFA.

“The Northern Fringe Festival will run alongside our month-long arts festival and is a great way for locals to showcase their venues, art forms and talent,” Cr Doyle said.

“The information night next week at the Old Magistrates Court theatre, will start getting people thinking about what they can do and how to be involved.

“We are really hoping to see a large amount of people at the information night – we want NAFA and the Fringe Festival to be driven by our local arts community.”

The information night is being held on Wednesday 13 March and will feature guest speakers who have been involved in other Fringe Festivals.

What: Northern Fringe Festival Information Night

When: 6 – 8pm, Wednesday 13 March

Where: Old Magistrates Court, cnr Stokes and Sturt St, Townsville City

RSVP – fringe@townsville.qld.gov.au by 5pm 11 March