Council Connections - 21 December 2023

Mayor's Christmas Message, Congratulations Lachlan Buckman and Yanks Jetty Gangway Reinstatement Delayed

Mayor's Christmas Message

I take this opportunity in the last message for 2023 to sincerely thank all those members of the community for their generosity and support of the Mayor’s Christmas Appeal.

On behalf of Councillors, I thank you all for your assistance throughout the year.

I would like to  recognise and thank all of our community groups and organisations, sporting committees, committed volunteers and staff, who give up their valuable time to help others through the year.

Thank you to all.

I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. For those travelling away – travel safe, and similarly for your family travelling here, I wish everyone a safe journey.

Congratulations Lachlan Buckman

Lachlan Buckman recently competed in the 2023 Australian All Schools Athletics Championships at the Western Australia Athletics Stadium in Perth.

The Championships welcomed the best school-aged track and field athletes as they competed for the coveted title of National Champion.

Lachlan placed first in the Under 18 Mens Javelin throw to claim the gold medal.

He threw a distance of 66.26 metres, which was almost 6.5 metres further than second place.

Lachlan was also presented with the Australian Olympic Change-Maker Award. This award is in recognition of his demonstration of the Olympic Spirit through leadership and driving positive change in the community.

Council’s 2023 Christmas Closure

Council wishes to inform the community that various departments will be closed during the below times over the Christmas period:

• Lannercost Street Office – Closing 5.00pm Friday 22 December 2023 and re-opening 8.30am Tuesday 2 January 2024;
• Martin Street Works Depot – Closed 4.00pm Friday 15 December 2023 and re-opening 7.00am Tuesday 2 January 2024;
• Water and Sewerage Depot – Closed 4.00pm Friday 15 December 2023 and re-opening 8.00am Tuesday 2 January 2024;
• Hinchinbrook Shire Library and TYTO Regional Art Gallery – Closed 4.00pm Friday 22 December 2023 and re-opening 10.00am Tuesday 2 January 2024;
• Halifax Library Sub-Branch – Closed 12.00pm Wednesday 20 December 2023 and re-opening 9.00am Wednesday 3 January 2024;
• Hinchinbrook Visitor Information Centre (HVIC) – Commencing Saturday 23 December 2023 to Sunday 21 January 2024, the HVIC will be operating from 9.00am to 4.00pm daily, excluding   Christmas Day, Boxing  Day and New Year's Day. On Christmas Eve, the HVIC will be closing from 12.00pm.
• Warrens Hill Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre - Closed Christmas Day;
• Halifax Resource Recovery Centre – Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day; and
• TYTO RV Park – Temporarily closed and re-opening Friday 1 March 2024.

For urgent enquiries during this time, please contact Council on 4776 4600.

Changes to Kerbside Bin Collection Due to Christmas Day

Please note there will be no kerbside bin collection on Christmas Day.

Collection services will re-commence Tuesday 26 December 2023 as follows:

• Monday 25 December 2023 pickup will move to Tuesday 26 December 2023;
• Tuesday 26 December 2023 pickup will move to Wednesday 27 December 2023;
• Wednesday 27 December 2023 pickup will move to Thursday 28 December 2023; and
• Thursday 28 December 2023 pickup will move to Friday 29 December 2023.

Yanks Jetty Gangway Reinstatement Delayed

Important notice for anyone planning to visit Yanks Jetty over the Christmas break.

Council advises that due to lead times for scheduling expert marine contractors, the reinstatement of the gangway linkage between Yanks Jetty and the pontoon will not be completed before the Christmas holiday period. 

The gangway has been fully repaired and strengthened for some time now, and despite Council’s best efforts in trying to find alternative approaches to get the gangway reinstalled, the earliest the pontoon can be safely lifted into place is now early 2024.

Council advises that the Yanks Jetty Pontoon is currently open, safe to access and will remain open for use during the Christmas holiday period.

Boat owners are reminded to obey all signage on the facility and comply with Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s anchoring and mooring restrictions.

Lastly, it is always good practice whenever you are visiting beaches and islands in our Shire to pick up any trash and rubbish you come across. “Take home more than you brought with you”.

Australia Day Award Nominations

Council is now seeking nominations for Australia Day Awards to be presented on Australia Day Friday 26 January 2024.

Categories include:

• Citizen Award for a person 27 years or older on Friday 26 January 2023;
• Young Citizen Award for a person under 27 years on Friday 26 January 2023;
• Junior and Senior Sports Awards;
• Junior and Senior Cultural Awards;
• Community Event Award; and
• Individual Achievement Award for a significant contribution to a local community group/s either as an official, coach, office bearer or in some other official or volunteer capacity.

Any person resident in the Hinchinbrook Shire during 2023 is eligible and their contribution or performance may have occurred during 2023, or over a number of years.

Nomination Forms are available on Council’s website, Australia Day Celebrations page under Community and Environment.

Nominations due 5.00pm Thursday 4 January 2024.

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COUNCIL CONNECTIONS - 21 DECEMBER 2023