Covid impacts on Election Day
With Election Day coming up, the Australian Electoral Commission has outlined how people who test positive for Covid-19 in the week leading up to Election Day can vote.
Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers said the AEC is accounting for the pandemic in many aspects of election delivery, including options for Covid-19 positive voters in isolation.
People who test positive for Covid-19 from mid-week onwards, who haven’t already voted, and have missed the postal vote application deadline, will be able to access a telephone vote.
Information about the telephone voting service will be available to voters who need it once postal vote applications close.
Emu Vale dog breeding case settled
A dispute between Emu Vale residents and a proposed dog breeding business has been settled.
The case went before Judge McDonnell at the Planning and Environment Court on Wednesday 11 May, after a “fruitful mediation” on March 28.
Barrister Tim Stork, representing the dog-breeding Cook family, presented Judge McDonnell with significantly revised plans for the kennels.
The new plans showed there would no longer be a dog faeces pit and that all animal waste would now be put into a bio-cycle septic system and would therefore not be composted onto grassed areas as originally planned.
The new plans also included a significant upgrade to building materials including a state-of-the-art acoustic ceiling, the removal of patios and windows, and the inclusion of double-air-locked internal doors.
Fencing around the two external dog runs will now be of the same high standard as motorway barrier walls and will be surrounded by dense hedging.
Reportedly, the new Town Planning Director conducted a review of how this case was handled and was due to hand down a report on 16 May.
DDH urges locals to get their flu shot
Darling Downs Health (DDH has encouraged residents to protect themselves against influenza, as the cooler months start to set in.
They state the best way to avoid getting sick is to talk to your GP about receiving a flu vaccination.
From the start of January to the start of May, there have been 39 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza in the Darling Downs Health region.
Director of Public Health and Community Medicine at Darling Downs Health Dr Liam Flynn said this is slightly increased in comparison to previous years, which is why it’s important to get the flu vaccine.
“Now is a great time to protect yourself and your loved ones, so you’re immunised before the flu season arrives,” Dr Flynn said.
“Flu season in Queensland typically peaks in August, so I’d encourage all members of our community to visit their GP or pharmacist and get the influenza jab soon.
“The flu hasn’t gone away, and we still face the possibility of a serious flu season this year.”
