KIM OUR SERIAL PEST!
We think our State MP for Redlands, Kim Richards is a Serial Pest! And we mean that in the most positive way. When you list the achievements that she has racked up for the Redlands and our islands, it is extraordinary. The $40 millions jetties; the Satellite Hospital; the 50 cent transport fare extensions; and so much more, the list is extensive, And now, the promise of $95 million if the Miles Labor Government gets re-elected on October 26. The $95 million will pay for a car parking station at Weinam Creek totally. That would mean no private involvement with no competing car parking from a commercial shopping centre, with all the parking at the multilevel car park totally for islanders. The $64 question is, but will the Miles Labor Government get re-elected. The pundits say not, but Kim Richards is sure giving it a Red Hot Go! She’s like Dog with Bone! They say if you annoy someone enough, they will give you what you want just to get rid of you. We don’t care how Kim Richards goes about it, but we reckon it is brilliant! All we need now is for the LNP to match Kim’s efforts for our island communities!
CHESTERMAN RESIGNATION OPPORTUNITY
So the Redland City Council Chief Executive Office Andrew Chesterman has resigned. We believe he had reasons for his resignation which might have had something to do with the recent Local Government election. We are told he intends to have a ‘break’ for a period of time, but don’t be surprised if his next appointment is a ’surprise’. Andrew Chesterman succeeded in the role ??, who was a progressive CEO who was heading council in some interesting new directions. Andrew Chesterman was more ‘measured’ in his management. With his resignation, Redland City Council has an opportunity to again head in some interesting new directions. The way forward for Local Government we believe was shown by Hervey Bay a few years ago. It is believed that council developed some new concepts based around ‘business units’. It was discovered that many areas of council business could succeed, grow and save money for the ratepayer by developing business units. Run in a more ‘return for effort’ manner, they could revolutionise council business. Councils generally cost more and more to run because the various managers are ‘rewarded’ for spending their entire budgets so they can received ‘more’ in the next financial year. There is currently ‘no reward’ for saving money; only for spending it! Anyway, we doubt if we will see these interesting directions persued, but it is worth thinking about!
MUSEUM VOLUNTEERS
Check out the story in this edition about our island museum on Russell Island run by a dedicated group of long standing volunteers. The museum is probably our islands’ best kept secret. It has an amazing collection of information and artefacts that go back over 150 years of island history. What is missing is more people to help out as volunteers. If you have time on your hands and you would like an interest that makes a great contribution to our islands, perhaps you could make contact with Kay Ross. You may do so by contacting SMBI Museum at 55 Jackson Road Russell Island Open Fridays 9 – 12.00 . Contact 0408 154 245 Kay; 0408 769 829 Brendan E:kayross@bigpond.com
CYBERCRIME ON REDLANDS COAST
Redlands Coast residents are being reminded to stay cyber safe amid recent reports of scammers attempting to impersonate Redland City Council staff on platforms such as social media. It seems echnology has increased the potential for people to be scammed, and Council had received reports of recent scam activity on Redlands Coast. Everyone is urged to be vigilant. The types of scams include contact with residents via digital and telephone communication, and falsely using Council’s branding to mimic being from Council. Council’s Chief Information Officer Mitch Miller said Council was taking steps to reduce scam activity to protect Council and the wider community. Most platforms allow reporting of fraudulent pages which council actively undertakes when made aware. Scammers can often take the opportunity to engage residents using incentives such as Council events and social media giveaways. It is important to remember that Council will only contact you via phone (07 3829 8999), email (rcc@redland.qld.gov.au), or an official social media account. If you receive correspondence that seems suspicious, you can verify it against Council’s official contact details. For further information on known scams and how to stay safe, please visit Home | Scamwatch. If you have been impacted by a scam or cyber incident and require support, please contact Report | Cyber.gov.au.
NEW REDLANDS COAST CITIZENS
Australian Citizenship Day 2024 was extra significant for the 163 residents who made the pledge to become citizens on the day. They join the other 465 Redlands Coast residents who have become Australian citizens during ceremonies earlier this year. Redland City Mayor Jos Mitchell welcomed the participants, who came from 30 countries, and their families and friends, at the citizenship ceremony at Redland Performing Arts Centre in Cleveland on Tuesday, 17 September. The Mayor said that almost one quarter of Redlands Coast residents were born overseas.
CIGGIE COSTS - GIVE THEM UP
There are quite a few smokers on our islands. We often wonder how many can afford the habit, with the cost of a packet of cigarettes rising at a spectacular rate. The cost per pack is influenced heavily by Government taxes. The ever rising taxes are aimed at forcing some smokers to give up the habit, but are also a handy revenue-raising operation for Governments; an added benefit. As of recently, a pack of 20 cigarettes costs $40 on average. With more new taxes soon to be imposed, the price of a 20 cigarette pack is expected to rise to $50 by 2026. That is $2.50 for every cigarette that is smoked; about half the price of a cup of coffee. For a pack-a-day smoker (20 pack) the currently spend is $50 per day, approximately $18,250. That’s a lot of money going up in smoke! It seems the financial cost is the biggest influence in encouraging many to give up the habit. The fact that smoking can kill you sooner rather than later, seems to have very little impact. Then there are the other factors that so many never consider: Breath Stinks, Clothes Stink, House Stinks, Car Stinks, You Reek! Yuk!
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