In brief
THE findings of council’s water fluoride survey will be known later this month.
On Monday, a Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC) spokeswoman confirmed “the fluoride survey results, analysis and recommendation” will go to council’s next meeting on 26 November at Stanthorpe.
SDRC has vowed to end the health practice if 50 per cent or more respondents want water fluoridation stopped.
The survey will be considered invalid and the status quo will remain if less than 50 per cent or those surveyed fail to respond.
The survey, which was sent out with water rates mid last month, was due to be returned on Friday 31 October.
Council has come under fire for denying tenants or people on tank water a say on the contentious issue.
Tourism award for cycling race
WARWICK’S Jumpers and Jazz in July Festival has been pipped at the post for a rural tourism award.
A four-day, five stage road cycling race, The FKG Tour of Toowoomba, was named the winner of the Buzz Print Events and Tourism Award, as part of the Queensland Regional Achievement and Community Awards at Caloundra last Saturday.
Jumpers and Jazz was named as one of three finalists for the gong early last month.
The awards recognise groups, businesses, individuals and communities who play a vital role in enhancing the social, environmental and economic prosperity of rural Queensland.
Queensland and Labor icon mourned
FORMER Queensland Premier Wayne Goss died on Monday aged 63 following the recurrence of a brain tumor.
Mr Goss led the Labor Party to victory in 1989 after 32 years of National Party rule.
He is being remembered as the guiding force behind bringing Queensland out of the wilderness and into modern times.
Young Aussies face the music
YOUNG Australians are set to be worse off than their parents, according to a new report by the Foundation of Young Australians.
The startling snapshot, Renewing Australia’s Promise, highlights several escalating challenges, including high youth unemployment, a slipping education system, rising housing costs and increasing debt levels.
Alarming absence of smoke alarms
RESEARCH has revealed that one in three Queensland households have at least one non-working smoke alarm and more than one in four households have no working smoke alarms at all.
Troy Thompson, general manager of Smoke Alarms Australia, which conducted the study, said households should check their smoke alarms at least yearly.
The State Government can issue property owners a $500 on-the-spot fine for non-compliance.
