People take for granted technologies like GPS for navigating and internet sites like Google Earth for accessing satellite images.  However this was not the case in the past when our early surveying pioneers mapped our landscape.  To provide local GPS reference points in Moreton Bay Region and acknowledge our early surveying pioneers, a series of 10 permanent survey markers have been installed from Samford to Sandstone Point.  Locally, you will notice these markers in Roderick Cruice Park, Williams Street,  Dayboro and John Scott Park, Samford.  Accompanying the Q150 permanent markers are signs that provide their latitude and longitude. These signs also contain information for visitors about founding explorers who mapped the region.
DAYBORO – THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS
Many ‘Dayborites’ will be most interested in a new Exhibition, opening on 26th March, at the Pine Rivers Heritage Museum.  The Pine Rivers Heritage Museum and the Dayboro Historical Society have been working together to tell the story of the Dayboro area and community.  The Pine Rivers Heritage Museum Old Petrie Town is in Dayboro Road, Whiteside.  This Exhibition will run from 26th March to 16th May 2010 and is open Wednesday to Sunday.  Cost – Free.  For more information please call 3285 7213.
WILD DOGS
The incidence of wild dogs is always a contentious one and has raised its head recently.  Wild dog numbers fluctuate over the year depending on what season it is with the new pups, born in spring, becoming self sufficient 4-6 months later. Officers from Moreton Bay Regional Council’s Wild Dog Management Program are at the front line of an integrated, proactive and co-operative approach to managing wild dogs. The program includes property inspections, one-on-one advice to property holders, data collection and monitoring, trapping and baiting operations.  These programs have been successful in reducing wild dog numbers in the region.  Even though The Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002 declares wild dogs as Class 2 pest animals and the responsibility of individual landowners to take reasonable measures to control them on their land, Council currently employs 3 fulltime pest animal management officers to conduct trapping and baiting programs for landholders throughout the region.  To assist Council with this ongoing control please reports sightings of wild dogs to Council on 3205 0555.
HUGE CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY TURNOUT
On the 7th March more than 4,700 volunteers turned out at many sites throughout the Moreton Bay Region.  In my Division 11, which takes in 600 square kilometers, there were 11 sites registered with 118 volunteers who participated in this year’s Clean Up Australia activities. Representatives from service clubs, scout groups, rural fire brigades and neighbourhood watch groups joined with many private citizens to help collect refuse from along our roadways and public areas and a total of 9 cubic metres was collected for our Division.  Whilst most regular participants have noticed a slight reduction in the amount of litter being collected each year, the amount still being collected is somewhat disappointing.  No doubt increased fines for littering are helping to reduce littering along with better community awareness but the amount of mixer drink cans and fast food wrappers still tell their own story.
NATURAL AREAS MANAGEMENT
Over the next month Council staff will be busy with routine weed treatments around Dayboro, including waterway maintenance which involves planting, rubbish removal and treatment of terrestrial weeds at Henry Pearch Park and Hillview Courts Reserve, Dayboro.
DID YOU KNOW?
That mosquitoes are able to breed in even the smallest amount of water (100mls) and can produced 400-500 larvae per week. Following the recent rains please make sure that there are no vessels around your home holding water which may provide a breeding ground for mozzies.