Wednesday, 3 April, 2024
12676229-AI12-24
Easter bonnets on parade
Esk duo’s enduro quest
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Value jumps The official state land valuation for the Somerset region was released on 26 March, with an overall increase of 54 per cent since the last valuation issued in 2022, bringing the total value of the region’s land to $4,970,764,700. Somerset Regional Council Mayor Jason Wendt said the region had never had a land valuation increase so significant. “Somerset was only one of five council areas in southeast Queensland that has been assessed by the State valuers this year and to have an increase of 54 per cent in Somerset is telling,” Cr Wendt said. STORY PAGE 2
Councillors locked in Lockyer Valley and Somerset regions’ 2024 elected councillors have been declared, following postal vote counts on Tuesday 26 March. In Lockyer Valley Regional Council, returning Mayor Tanya Milligan will be joined by Councillors Chris Wilson, Michael Hagan, David Neuendorf, Cheryl Steinhardt, Anthony Wilson and Julie Reck. Former Councillor Brett Qualischefski is the only incumbent to not be re-elected. In Somerset Regional Council, new Mayor Councillor Jason Wendt will be joined by Councillors Helen Brieschke, Kylee Isidro, Tiara Hurley, Michael Bishop, Brett Freese and Sally Jess. STORY PAGE 3
Sarah Hoyling, Kylie Naumann, Elmaire Cunliffe.
Thrilling day of country racing at Cup By Grace Crichton A gorgeous country day brought flocks of spectators to the One Response Laidley Cup on 30 March. A wet track at Doomben directed race-
goers to the Lockyer Valley Turf Club, determined not to miss a day of racing on the long weekend. It was the biggest attendance at a Laidley Cup to date, and the races did not disappoint.
Avenue of Stars took out The Cup, ridden by 17-year-old jockey Jace McMurray at his first race meeting. The event also raised money for the Leukaemia Foundation. STORY PAGE 39
QFES looks to the fire season…
More firefighters By Jesse Hamilton Several stations across South East Queensland will experience an increase in firefighters following the Queensland Government’s commitment to deliver an additional 500 frontline firefighters state-wide over six years from the 2020-2021 financial year. The latest round of 16 recruits who graduat-
ed on 22 March will be deployed to permanent fire stations across South East Queensland, which may include Gatton Fire Station in the Lockyer and Brassall Fire Station in Ipswich West. The ceremony was the third of fifteen graduating ceremonies to take place in 2024 with more than 200 new firefighter recruits expected to graduate this year.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Acting Commissioner Steve Smith said the latest recruits completed specialised training units, such as live fire behaviour training, bushfire, road crash rescue, technical rescue, and hazardous materials management training. “The training completed by the recruits ensured they will hit the ground running to help
make a real difference in communities,” he said. “The recruit training course is designed to reflect the broad range of services firefighters provide and recreates real life situations to give them a solid foundation of practical skills and experiences. STORY PAGE 4
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