Burdekin Water Park key dates finally revealed

Burdekin Shire Council are now seeking expressions of interest from companies to submit preliminary designs and costing for the Burdekin Water Park.

Burdekin Shire Council are now seeking expressions of interest from companies to submit preliminary designs and costing for the Burdekin Water Park.

The three firms that are part of the procurement process are Playscape Creations, Beau Corp Aquatics and Construction, and Taylor Builder PTY Ltd.

The three firms will be invited to participate in a ‘Water Park Design Competition’ where each firm will be offered $10,000 payment to provide a preliminary design and costing for the project.

As a result of the payment for each firm, Council will own the intellectual property to the design concept plans.

Graduate Technical Officer Tayla Heuir said an extensive review was undertaken in order to narrow down the number of companies to three.

Aja Olsen, Nash Christie and Millie Lyne at the swimming pool in Ayr. Picture: Satria Dyer-Darmawan.

“These three companies are going to present us with really great preliminary plans as well as competitive pricing,” Ms Heuir said.

“There are also indicative project delivery dates that we are planning to meet and we will work with the companies to make sure they are aware of it as well,” she said.

Council has implemented project milestone dates to ensure that the project is completed within the State Government’s Works for Queensland Funding Project completion date of 30 June 2023.

The tender and design competition will close November 1, and the presentation of the design will take place November 9.

Council will award a contract for the design and construction of the Water Park in December and the expected completion of the design and construction is expected to be finalised in late December 2022.

Sweet Days Hot Nights will return in 2023

The Burdekin’s Sweet Days, Hot Nights Festival will shift to a biennial event, with the next festival set to be held from 25-27 May 2023.

The change comes following consultation between the organising committee, key stakeholders and sponsors and will ensure the festival continues to grow as the Shire’s signature destination event.

Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Lyn McLaughlin said the decision would allow other events in May to be further supported by sponsors and patrons in 2022, and allow the 2023 Sweet Days, Hot Nights Festival to be bigger and better than ever.

“Following careful deliberation and discussions with stakeholders, the organising committee determined shifting the Sweet Days, Hot Nights Festival to biennial would allow the festival to grow,” Ms McLaughlin said.

The first fire took place on Thursday night at the Home Hill Showgrounds. Picture: Satria Dyer-Darmawan

“It will also allow residents to support the many other community events in May and providing further time to source funding and sponsorship to expand the festival program.

“In its off years, there are still plans to acknowledge the festival both physically and online. 2020 demonstrated that virtual events can be well supported, with the virtual Sweet Days, Hot Nights Festival reaching more than 150,000 people.

“May is peak event season for the Burdekin and I encourage everyone to experience the many other offerings on at that time of year – and be prepared for a bigger and better Sweet Days, Hot Nights Festival in 2023,” she said.

Police hoping locals can identify stolen property

The Ayr Criminal Investigations Branch are hoping locals will be able to identify a number of stolen property seized from solar farms, construction companies and rural properties.

In August 19, a search warrant was executed in Townsville after an investigation was conducted in relation to solar farms, construction companies and rural properties being targeted by thieves in the Giru, Clare and the Townsville area.

Detective Sergeant Lisa Shields said approximately 100 items of property were located and seized by police, including power tools, vehicle equipment, copper wire and other tools.

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“A portion of the property has been identified by victims however we are still attempting to identify some owners and encourage victims to contact Ayr CIB on 4790 3540 or 47903555,” Sergeant Shields said.

“Police are still investigating the offences however it is expected that a number of persons will be charged in the coming weeks.

“Targeted companies can assist police by setting up CCTV cameras and alarm systems and ensuring property is securely locked away and that access cannot be gained to the building in which they are being stored,” she said.

Originally published as Burdekin Water Park key dates finally revealed