News Archives - TRC - Tablelands Regional Council

Esports Survey

November 25, 2020 By Tamara

Tablelands Regional Council has partnered with the University of Queensland to conduct a survey on the effects of esports (competitive gaming) on youth behaviour.

‘Esports is one of the fastest growing industries and we’re keen to understand what the influences are on our youth,’ said Councillor Peter Hodge.

‘This is the first survey of it’s kind in regional Queensland and we’re hoping to capture the positive and negative impacts and career pathways related to esports.

‘This information will inform our current policies, give us tools to engage with disenfranchised youth in our community, and identify strategies to tackle negative issues like addiction and aggression.

‘We’re offering the chance to win one of eight $250 vouchers for filling out the survey.

‘So if you’re a 12–18 year old gamer, have your say on gaming preferences and behaviour by Monday 7 December 2020 to be in the draw,’ said Councillor Hodge.

Local Initiative Links Trainee & Apprentice Opportunities

November 20, 2020 By Tamara

Local barriers to training and workforce have been identified by the Regional Skills Investment Strategy (RSIS) Project Group.

Comprising Tablelands Regional Council staff and local business, the project group is working on solutions and outcomes for employment and business in the region.

‘The RSIS Project Group’s recent initiative — Tablelands Tomorrow — is a collaborative effort involving Tablelands businesses, chambers of commerce, schools and community groups,’ said Mayor Rod Marti.

‘A lot of our young people leave the Tablelands when they finish school, in search of other opportunities.

‘We want them to stay local so they can continue to contribute to our economy and community.

‘Tablelands Tomorrow identifies local opportunities and assists businesses to connect with schools, transition pathways officers, Vocational Partnership Group participants and community groups.

‘There’s great resources showing businesses how they can connect with trainee, apprentice, work experience, vocational placement, gap year and mentoring opportunities.

‘There are also a lot of financial incentives out there that this program can help you navigate.

‘There’s currently six apprenticeships and traineeships on offer, and over forty positions.

‘So far 80 businesses from across the Tablelands Regional and Mareeba Shire areas have been supported including primary industries, retail, hospitality, building and construction, health and social services.

‘If you’re a business looking to reap the benefits of this program, get in touch with our RSIS Project Coordinator, Kristy Whitehead, on TRCecondev@trc.qld.gov.au or 4089 2223,’ said Mayor Marti.

The RSIS project is proudly supported and funded by the Queensland Government.

Local Youth On The Big Stage

November 18, 2020 By Tamara

Lake Eacham local Connor Le’Gear and member of Tablelands Regional Council’s (TRC’s) Youth Advisory Committee is putting the Tablelands on the political map.

Mayor Rod Marti met with Connor earlier this year when Connor was representing the Hill Electorate in the Queensland Youth Parliament.

‘I was very impressed with Connor and am glad that our Youth Advisory Committee has both benefitted from and contributed to this young man’s passion and development.

‘The voice of youth in our region is an important one that must be listened to,’ said Mayor Marti.

Connor, currently studying a Diploma of Youth Justice, travelled to Brisbane for the Youth Parliament session.

‘When we arrived, we were separated into committees to each develop a bill on issues impacting youth,’ Connor said.

‘We then came together in Parliament House to vote on the bills, which were then sent to the committee’s in Queensland’s Parliament House where the State MPs chose to present the bills in State Parliament, or use bits of them for their own bills.

‘A good example of the success of this process is the mandatory 100 hours for learner drivers … this came straight from Youth Parliament.

‘I was in the education committee and our bill got passed, which is great!

‘Since the Youth Parliament I’ve met with ministers, mayors and councillors to discuss issues impacting youth.

‘I showcased the TRC Youth Strategic Plan to the Mayor of Cassowary Coast and he’s invited me to be a guest speaker at their youth forum next year,’ said Connor.

More Funding for Inland Highway

November 13, 2020 By Tamara

Tablelands Regional and Mareeba Shire Councillors and staff recently met the Honourable Scott Buchholz MP, Assistant Minister for Roads and Transport on Ootann Road.

Minister Buchholz was travelling through North Queensland and visited Ootann Road at the request of the Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils.

‘Ootann Road is our 90km inland highway and the unsealed sections of the road prevent year-round use,’ said TRC Councillor Annette Haydon.

‘If it can be weather-proofed, we can secure it as a reliable freight route to the eastern seaboards for agriculture, beef, mining and tourism industries and their suppliers.

‘Widening and sealing the full length of the road will improve transport and traffic safety, significantly reduce transport times and maintenance costs will be reduced.

‘Beef Roads and State Transport Infrastructure and Development Scheme funding, combined with a contribution from both councils sealed about 12km in 2018–19.

Mareeba Shire Mayor Angela Toppin said Ootann is a strategic transport corridor for the region.

‘Ootann Road is an imperative link, connecting industry in Northern Australia with southern markets,’ she said.

‘As Australia’s third largest fruit producer and a producer of off-season temperate zone produce, there is a need for large volumes of freight to move from the region to southern and overseas markets.

Councillor Toppin said that many sections of Ootann Road are narrow and unsealed, and subject to road closures and load limits during the wet season, which impacts its reliability as a freight and tourist route.

‘Any work to progressively widen, seal and flood-proof this road will be reliant on funding from the Australian and Queensland governments and we will continue to advocate funding commitments from both levels of Government.

Minister Buchholz was impressed with the work completed to date and both Councils advocated strongly for further federal funding to complete the improvement work.

(L–R) MSC Mayor Angela Toppin, Brian Smith (transport industry), Assistant Minister Scott Buchholz, Frances Schafer (Queensland Trucking Association), TRC Councillor Annette Haydon and MSC Deputy Mayor Kevin Davies.

Recognise Tablelands Businesses

November 12, 2020 By Tamara

The Tablelands Business Excellence Awards, showcasing the region’s outstanding business operators and not-for-profit entities, are accepting nominations.

‘The awards are a celebration of the business community’s contribution to the economic and social fabric of our region,” said Mayor Rod Marti.

‘It’s been a tough year but our business community has risen to the challenge and continued to do an outstanding job amid the rapid changes.

‘We are proud of their achievements and invite nominations in five award categories — regional innovator, customer champion, best dressed business, employer of choice, or sustainability contribution category.

‘You’ll be recognising the leaders, innovators and quiet achievers in our business community.

‘We’re particularly interested in seeing businesses who evolved and adapted to Covid-19 being recognised for the regional innovator category.

‘Nominations close on Wednesday 25 November and everyone will have the chance to vote for their favourite nominated business in each category in the people’s choice awards.

‘The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Friday 4 December,” said Mayor Marti.

Make the Tablelands Shine

November 11, 2020 By Tamara

Tablelands Regional Council’s (TRC) Make the Tablelands Shine Christmas Lights Competition is on again!

Councillor David Clifton is looking forward to seeing the festive spirit reflected in light displays on residences and in streets across the region.

‘Join the Christmas cheer by decorating your home and nominating for our competition.

‘You can even get together with your neighbours and nominate your street for the prestigious best street award,’ said Councillor Clifton.

The competition is open to all homes and streets in the TRC region and nominations close 5pm Tuesday 8 December.

‘We’ll post a list of the participating houses and streets on our website so you can tour the community and see the lights.

‘Nominate online and make sure everything is lit on 9–13 December when we’ll be judging.

‘Thanks to The Express for sponsoring this event,” said Councillor Clifton.

56 Loader Street in 2019.

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