By the time this edition of the Grapevine is on the streets, we will be within a few weeks of yet another Christmas and I'm sure like me, you all wonder where the past 12 months have gone.

There is also no doubt that the older we get the faster they come around.  It has been another year of considerable achievement and I look forward to working with you all in 2010 to make our substantial part of the huge Moreton Bay Regional Council an even better place to live.  As this is the last edition of the Grapevine before Christmas, I would like to take the opportunity to wish you and your families a holy, enjoyable and safe festive season and a hope that the New Year is kind to you all. Despite this busy time of the year, I may see some of you at the Combined Churches’ carols, which I am pleased to continue to support to help defray their production costs.  Access to Council services continues to be available over the holiday period on 3480 6666 (This number also contacts the Council's Out of Hours Service).
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS REWARDED
Volunteers making a positive impact on our local environment were recently acknowledged for their hard work.  The Council supported Kumbartcho Sanctuary Environment Centre won the Golden Circle Environment and Landcare Category at the Queensland Regional Achievement and Community Awards.  As part of the award, volunteers took away with them a trophy and $2500.  Tim Mulheron, the Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland, was one of the 250 guests at the award ceremony held at Maroochydore on 24 October 2009.  The awards are a showcase of environmental management and restoration which attracted over 350 applicants across the 7 categories.
PINE RIVERS CHRISTMAS PARADE AND CONCERT
This year’s free Christmas Parade and Concert will be held on Saturday 12 December 2009 between 5.30pm and 9.30pm at the Pine Rivers Park, Gympie Road, Strathpine.  Santa will be making a special appearance and, as well, there will be items from a local dance group, choir, kids show and a fireworks finale at 9.00pm.  Bring your own chairs and blankets and enjoy the food stalls provided by local vendors.
KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR WATER
With the Region experiencing the dry part of our summer season, residents relying on tank supplies should continue to actively monitor their water reserves and ensure that adequate notice is given when requesting top up supplies from local water carriers.   
For those lucky enough to be on the town water supply, the Queensland Water Commission has, in the last week or so, revised an earlier relaxation of restrictions, but nevertheless, effective from the 1st December 2009 will implement permanent water conservation measures that provide a little more flexibility than has currently been in place.  These measures will enable watering of gardens and lawns, using a hose with a twist or trigger action nozzle, on any day, except Monday, between the hours of 4pm and 10am.  Washing of cars and outdoor equipment will be permitted using a hose with a twist or trigger action nozzle at any time.  For full details of the draft measures, please log onto:
 http://www.qwc.qld.gov.au/Permanent+Water+Conservation+Measures .
MASH IT UP – what is it?
It is a short film festival for people between 12 – 25 years.  It is a chance to attend FREE film camps and workshops on everything from acting to theatrical make-up, equipment handling, film editing, animation, making a book trailer, sound and music effects and more, as well as going to the FREE film camps in January.  If you are aged between 12 and 25 years of age and have an interest in filmmaking, you can sign up for free film camps and workshops being held next year.  To register your interest please visit Council’s website at http://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/discover.aspx?ekfrm=17487 .
OVERWEIGHT REFUSE BINS
Council’s waste collection contractors are experiencing some difficulties in servicing residents general waste bins due to the bins being too heavy for the lifting device on the trucks.  Some residents have been placing heavy items such as concrete, bricks and even soil in the bins.  For safety reasons the lifting device has been limited to only lift approximately 60 kilograms.  Bins heavier than this weight are unable to be serviced as they may fall off the lifting device causing injury or damage to the bin.  Concrete, bricks and soil should not be disposed of at the Transfer Stations.  Small amounts of heavier items may be disposed of at the Council’s land fill sites at no additional cost.
UPCOMING ROAD AND DRAINAGE WORKS
A new footpath has been approved to be built in Mt Nebo and work should commence very shortly. The footpath will run from View Street through to the Cafe.
SOCCER BUILDING UNDERWAY
Earthworks have been completed and construction is now underway on an amenities building being provided for the Dayboro Soccer Club.  This project, weather permitting, is expected to be largely completed by Christmas and will provide a much needed facility for this enthusiastic Club when it commences its 2010 season.
DID YOU KNOW?
That Council has approximately 1,300 kms of rural roads and 2,000 kms of urban roads within our Region that we maintain.