Focus On... Community services, leisure, parks & gardens

• Art and culture and economic development*
  As the world economy evolves, regional, rural and remote Australia’s economic development is increasingly reliant on ‘new economy’ industries, including more mechanised agricultural production, ‘advanced’ manufacturing, specialist technical and business services and the ‘creative industries’.
• Keeping fit
  Yass Valley Council, New South Wales, has completed the first of a planned 38 service reviews as part of its commitment to be ‘Fit for the Future’.
• Ella meets the Mayor
  It’s not every day an eight-year-old gets a one-on-one with the Mayor, but when young Queenslander from Warwick, Ella Winfield, received a surprise visit from Southern Downs Regional Council Mayor, Tracy Dobie, she was all smiles.
• Future directions - By Robby Walsh, Mayor Waratah-Wynyard Council
  
• Library’s Language Cafe celebrates
  Language is often a barrier for people from different backgrounds, but a Wagga Wagga City Library program is bringing the New South Wales (NSW) community closer together through the power of conversation.
• Birthday party planned for art gallery
  The state-of-the-art Banana Shire Regional Art Gallery, Queensland, celebrates its 5th birthday in August and to commemorate this exciting milestone a special exhibition and weekend of free activities have been planned.
• Nature conservation saves wetlands
  Fifteen years of nature conservation in Town of Claremont, has restored Lake Claremont, previously fringed by a rubbish tip and long-hole golf course, bringing new wildlife to the urban wetlands.
• A big splash for the Craigieburn community*
  The Peddle Thorp-designed Splash Aqua Park and Leisure Centre in Craigieburn is now in full swing, after opening in October 2017.
• A waterfall of savings
  A new water filtration system – the first of its kind in Australia – saved the Willoughby City Council, New South Wales (NSW) Leisure Centre more than $14,000 and 1 million litres of water in a year.
• Pole walking a fun way to better health
  As part of the City of Armadale, Western Australia’s positive ageing program a new pole walking group will be introduced in Kelmscott, for senior residents keen to increase their fitness levels.
• Industry makes way for the Arts
  An historic building with roots deep in a city’s industrial past is about to get a new life as a creative hub for artists.
• Coastal pathway linking the north west
  The last section of Burnie City Council’s Marine Terrace Coastal Pathway is now open to the public.
• Town plans empower communities
  Over an eighteen month period Wattle Range Council, South Australia, has developed fourteen community/town plans by working closely with all the towns and settlement communities within Council boundaries.
• It’s a lifestyle*
  Is there anything better than enjoying a sunny day cooking on the barbecue with family and friends?
• Foreshore art trail
  An innovative art trail that adorns the Lake Macquarie, New South Wales, foreshore and creates a national tourist attraction for the City was unveiled last month at Warners Bay.
• Garden sprouts on car park rooftop
  A stunning, new community garden will grow on the roof of the Kings Cross carpark after the City of Sydney approved requests from a dedicated group of local residents.
• Bringing the library to you
  Melton City Council, Victoria, will be taking the library straight to the doorstop of its newest residents.
• Social enterprise cafe for Civic Centre
  Town of Gawler, South Australia, has announced a local agribusiness will manage a social enterprise cafe within the Gawler Civic Centre.
• Foreshore amenities upgrade*
  City of Busselton, with the help of CIVIQ, has introduced a number of outdoor showers and drinking water stations along the picturesque foreshore of Busselton, Western Australia.
• Celebrating five big ones*
  Forty-five thousand Australians with disability are getting support for the first time under the NDIS.
• Synthetic rugby field a first
  Blacktown City Council, New South Wales, has unveiled its $6 million synthetic rugby league field, the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Joint effort bears fruit
  The Shire of Esperance, Western Australia, and the Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Corporation Ranger team have embarked on a joint project.
• More park for your bark!
  In welcome news for dogs and dog owners across Knox City, Victoria, councillors have endorsed three concept option plans for proposed new dog parks.
• Ride fuels passion to build the best
  Tweed Shire Council staff working on the design of the first stage of the New South Wales Northern Rivers Rail Trail literally got on their bikes last month to gain first-hand experience of a successful rail trail operation.
• Streetscape designs
  Snowy Monaro Regional Council, New South Wales, streetscape enhancements are set to boost the economic and social viability of towns across the region.
• Improving health in Honeywood
  The City of Kwinana, Western Australia, is making it easier for residents to improve their health by installing a series of new outdoor exercise stations in Honeywood Estate, Wandi.
• A business you can trust*
  Some businesses are built on trust. Trust means you can believe what is said to you, that you’ll get what you thought you were asking for, and that after sales service won’t run out just as you need it.
• Sweet Days, Hot Nights
  Burdekin Shire Council, Queensland, has launched a new-look festival designed to drive destination awareness and tourism.
• Highway to the hydro-zone
  With the City of Nedlands in Western Australia managing a large number of parks, reserves and sporting ovals, there has been a key focus on improving water efficiencies in the irrigation of these areas over recent years.
• Wonders of Wallaby Reserve
  Toodyay Shire Council, Western Australia, has many bush reserves most of which are under active management and some of the higher value areas are preserved and promoted for nature and heritage conservation and recreations such as walking.
• Making Maldon an inclusive town
  Mount Alexander Shire Council, Victoria, is working alongside the City of Greater Bendigo and Loddon Shire Council to make their towns more accessible to people with disabilities.
• Tourism roadmap launched
  Glenelg Shire Council, Victoria, has joined forces with Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism (GORRT) and community leaders to develop a tourism strategic plan aimed at strengthening the visitor economy and increasing visitor satisfaction.
• Indigenous banners will fly
  More Indigenous artwork will pop up on prominent streets in Queensland’s Douglas Shire, during a public art rollout in coming months.
• Free offer for Fuso Canter range*
  Fuso has introduced free Best Basic scheduled servicing for its popular Canter truck that covers 100,000km or three years (whichever comes first), for a limited time.