Archive for June, 2007

KILCOY SHIRE COUNCIL TO ACCOMMODATE JIMNA FIRE TOWER TALKS

Monday, June 25th, 2007

In reply to a request from the Jimna Fire Tower Action Group (JFTAG) to enter into consultation with Kilcoy Shire Council,JFTAG has been reliably advised that Kilcoy Council will be establishing it’s official position regarding potential options for the Jimna Fire Tower, at the next council meeting Wednesday 27th June 07.Further advice reveals that after this meeting ,council will arrange a meeting with JFTAG officials, council officers and councillors, to document a future list of mutual options. JFTAG views this development as extremely pivotal, as support and input from local government, has always been considered to be vital to ultimate success. The importance of presenting a strong, united, and cohesive strategic plan to current owners Forestry Plantations Queensland (FPQ), who have already indicated their willingness to repair and transfer ownership, also cannot be underestimated.

SOMERSET VALLEYS WINE REGION RAFFLE RESULTS. A big thank you to the following local wineries, Hunting Lodge Estate, Nirvana Estate, Winya Wines and Woongooroo Estate for their sponsorship of a very successful Jimna Fire Tower raffle drawn Friday 22/06/07. Lucky winners Lesley Marman of Kilcoy, Glenys Reid of Keperra, Maree Kennedy of Delaney’s Creek and Hugh Laird of Palmwoods, will not only celebrate their win with a superb Kilcoy drop, but will also be able to toast the positive Jimna Fire Tower developments.

BIG CAMP OUT WEEKEND PLANNED FOR SPRING. The big camp out at Peach Trees Camping Area, set down for Friday 28th,Saturday 29th,and Sunday 30th of September 07,will give Jimna Fire Tower supporters an opportunity to see first hand the improvements underway, and the plans for tourism infrastructure in the Conondale/Jimna Range area, being initiated by both FPQ and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service(QPWS).

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM PROCESS DELAYS JIMNA FIRE TOWER PROGRESS

Monday, June 11th, 2007

Progress concerning the future of the Jimna Fire Tower has been effectively delayed following the decision by Kilcoy Shire Council (KSC) to defer any discussion with current owners, Forestry Plantations Queensland (FPQ), until after the outcome of the Local Government Reform Process in mid August 07. The Jimna Fire Tower Action Group (JFTAG) has written to KSC in an endeavour to enter into discussions for the purpose of establishing a united and cohesive platform from which the matter can proceed in a positive manner. JFTAG has also resolved to maintain constructive and ongoing links with FPQ so as to ensure that their generous offer to repair and transfer ownership of the Jimna Fire Tower is not put at risk because of possible Local Government tardiness. 

INCLEMENT WEATHER FAILS TO DETER VISITORS. Blustery cold winds on Saturday may have restricted campers to stay close to cover over the Queens Birthday Weekend, but both Sunday and Monday turned on beautiful sunny days, which brought visitors out in their droves, making the Jimna Fire Tower and Walking Tracks public awareness promotion a great success. Interest in the preservation of the Jimna Fire Tower continues to grow, and the numerous general enquiries regarding forest recreational activity in the Jimna/Conondale Range area is certainly reassuring for the future of local tourism.

MONTHLY JFTAG MEETINGS AND FORTNIGHTLY NEWS UPDATES. Please be advised that future JFTAG meetings shall be held on the last Friday of each month, and future Jimna Fire Tower News Updates shall be released fortnightly. Rest assured these changes have been made because the majority of JFTAG business is being conducted electronically between members who live throughout a wide area and will in no way diminish JFTAG’S will and commitment to the save the Jimna Fire Tower campaign. JFTAG wishes to sincerely thank the Kilcoy Sentinel and Community News for it’s unerring coverage of our weekly updates and hopes that the fortnightly releases will be equally as popular.

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FUTURE OF JIMNA FIRE TOWER IN HANDS OF KILCOY SHIRE COUNCIL

Monday, June 4th, 2007
After receiving the offer from current owners Forestry Plantations Queensland (FPQ), to repair the Jimna Fire Tower to a structurally sound condition, and to transfer ownership, the future of the tower now rests firmly in the hands of Kilcoy Shire Council. The FPQ letter of offer, sent to Kilcoy Shire Council on the 19/04/07, was subsequently followed up by a letter from the Jimna Fire Tower Action Group (JFTAG) on16/05/07, requesting a meeting with Council, for the purpose of establishing a representative working committee. JFTAG has offered to work with Kilcoy Shire Council, to formulate a united and cohesive strategic plan, which would reflect the aspirations of all stakeholders including the council, and to also ensure that the Jimna Fire Tower’s future tourism potential for Kilcoy Shire and South East Queensland is not put at risk because of a fragmented presentation to FPQ.
 
CONGRATULATORY EMAILS FROM SUPPORTERS. News that the threat of demolition of the tower has been removed at least for the foreseeable future, has resulted in many emails of joy and elation. Due to the difficulty in replying individually, JFTAG wishes to, via this news update, sincerely thank everybody who has, or intends to send correspondence of gratitude for the tower’s progress, but as we have previously warned, as one hurdle is cleared, it seems another pops up to present another challenge. Rest assured, JFTAG is a small but extremely resolute group, dependent on the support of you, the public, so we urge you to continue spreading the Jimna Fire Tower news updates; plan a trip to Jimna, and remember that at the end of the day, it is people power who will save the tower.
 
FUND RAISING SAUSAGE SIZZLE. Final chance to venture into the great outdoors for a long weekend this coming Queens Birthday holiday, before the onset of winter. Peach Trees Camping Area, although very popular, may have a few camp sites still available.

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