Update - 9 February 2009

Welcome to the first edition of a planned weekly email update from Booringa Action Group (BAG). This first message is to provide you with a quick summary of where we are up to, but future updates will be much shorter (I promise!), and will cover various topics that we hope will be of local interest.

What has BAG been up to?

• Following the change of BAG management in mid 2008, a new Strategic Plan has been developed. Five sub-committees have been established to implement the plan. The sub-committees are Communication, Community, Existing Business, New Business Development, and Tourism.
• Late 2008 the Community Sub Committee of BAG developed a comprehensive response to the Queensland Government’s Department of Infrastructure and Planning Draft Maranoa and District Regional Plan that stated Mitchell was not expected to grow and only maintenance levels of service would be provided to the town. The Maranoa and District and Regional Plan, once finalised, will become statutory (law) and act as the reference point for all future State Government policy.
• Businesses in the region have been surveyed and the results collated. A summary of the findings will be communicated at a function in April 2009.
  A modern photocopying/printing machine has been purchased with a grant received from the Gambling Community Benefit Fund. This machine can supply a cost effective printing and photocopying service to BAG and community members.
• BAG has initiated contact with the other community groups / progress associations throughout the new amalgamated Shire and a working party, consisting of the presidents of each of these groups, is meeting to strengthen the role of these groups in the region.
• BAG contributed to the success of the 2008 Christmas in the Park.
• BAG Management reviewed a list of some 30 projects that would offer a benefit to the Booringa community. The list has been prioritised and work has commenced on a selection of these projects.

What is BAG currently working on?

Projects have been considered and work has commenced on the following:

• A Child Care Centre for Mitchell – a team is following the progress of an application for funding for this. BAG was to receive notification about being on a shortlist for this Government funding in December 2008, but as yet no information has been forthcoming. Another option being explored is the preparation of an application to be a partner in the establishment of a new centre, and the team is working on this proposal.
• A Dentist for Mitchell – it is proposed to utilise the existing medical centre and staff to support the functioning of a Dentist. Dr Martin Byrne supports the project in principle and now Queensland Health need to come on board to progress arrangements.
• A large, secure, notice board is to be erected in the main street displaying a complete list of major events in the region for the benefit of locals; and also tourists, so they can plan further travel to the region to coincide with future event dates.
• A project team is investigating the opportunity of using the sewerage treatment farm as an enterprise.
• The BAG Communication Sub-Committee is in discussions with Council regarding the Booringa Bulletin. The Bulletin is a significant expense to Council and BAG is investigating if an alternative model could deliver a more economically viable product.

What’s next?

• BAG is developing a strong working relationship with Council and aims to be a reference point for Council in gauging community wants and needs.
• If community members would like to raise a proposal or concern with Council, consider BAG as a vehicle to support your quest.
• BAG is working on a new Corporate Image.
• BAG is planning a function to launch our new image, reveal the results of the business surveys previously conducted, and update all on the status of projects.

How can you help?

• BAG has a large number of projects that would have a significant positive impact on the liveability of the region.
• You can participate in projects via email. Time is something most people lack and as such we are changing the way projects are undertaken so that participation in projects can be done using technology such as email. That means you can read an update about a project from the team leader and make comment or contribute via a reply email or other method, when and where you can. Some meetings are still held, but your input can be contributed prior.
• We are continuing to look for members for the following projects:

Child Care Centre
Sewerage Treatment Farm project
A project addressing the sand in the weir
Sourcing a Dentist for Mitchell
Construction of a BAG website.

If you can help, please just drop a quick email reply and we will be in contact.

If you have your own ideas for projects in the region, then contact BAG to support you. BAG doesn’t need to own projects …. Our aim is to simply see the lifestyle of those in the region improved.

For more information on BAG, please contact Adam McEvoy, BAG President, on 4623 1141; or Sharyn Garrett , BAG Executive Officer, on 4623 7814.

Until next week! :-)

Cheers,
Sharyn.