Mount Isa News December 2022 – Local News
Latest Mount Isa News & Events for December
Centennial Place Contracts
Council has agreed to award the $3.894 million contract for the site construction of the Centennial Place facility in the Mount Isa CBD, as well as a $307,250 contract for specialist shipping containers to create an “Eat Street”-like area in the facility.
At its November Ordinary Meeting on Wednesday, November 16, Council agreed to award the construction contract to Gladstone-based company Oaka Constructions Pty Ltd. Construction is expected to begin in December 2022 and should be completed by mid-to-late 2023.
Other elements of Centennial Place will include shaded seating, a water feature, a sloping grassed area, a decorative walk with information about Mount Isa’s history and cultural heritage, toilet facilities, a water-play area, and a plaza space.
The Centennial Place project cost is approximately $5.3 million, with a combined $4.1 million in government funding received – $2.019 million from the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, and $2.09 million from the Queensland Government’s Works For Queensland. Council is providing $1.2 million.
Mayor Danielle Slade said while material delivery delays and supply chain issues are presenting a challenge, she’s hopeful Centennial Place would be open to the public in time for the 2023 Isa Rodeo.
Many people are looking forward to seeing work start on this project, and the great news is that work should be starting soon.
Centennial Place will be located on the corner of Miles Street and Grace Street. Our vision for this space is that it will be an area that pays tribute to Mount Isa’s past, can be utilised for community events and gatherings, and is a prime spot where people can sit and relax with their friends and family,” Cr Slade said.
Councillor Peta MacRae said a component of Centennial Place will be the modified specialist containers that can be used as pop-up food businesses or cafés.
“I think the shipping containers are going to be an excellent addition for the community to use, to have an Eat Street-type feel, and I think all community groups will benefit from them and appreciate them,” Cr MacRae said. The $307,250 contract for the manufacture, fitout and delivery of the specialist containers will be awarded to Brisbane-based Boxmate Shipping Containers.
Mount Isa News by Mayor Danielle Slade
The end of 2022 is almost upon us already – how the year has flown by!
Recently, local Year 12 students officially wrapped up their 13 years of formal education and celebrated with graduation ceremonies and formalities.
I was delighted to be able to attend the Spinifex State College Year 12 graduation ceremony at the Civic Centre recently, to celebrate this momentous occasion with them.
It was wonderful to see our next generation of young adults begin the next chapter of their lives. Good Shepherd Catholic College held its Year 12 graduation ceremony and dinner at the Civic Centre the following night.
On behalf of the Council, I would like to warmly congratulate each and every one of this year’s graduates for their achievements and wish them all the best and every success in the future. We hope to see many of them choose to live and work in Mount Isa and make excellent contributions to the local community.
The festive season is fast approaching, and so is Council’s free Christmas in the City Carols event. This is a perfect family event and one you certainly don’t want to miss, and everyone is invited to attend.
It will be held in air-conditioned comfort in the Civic Centre on Saturday, December 3, from 6pm, and will feature live performances from local talent, choirs and dance groups, as well as “Sapphires” singer Lorinda May Merrypor. There will also be Christmas markets, food stalls, and a kids’ show, so come along for a great night of celebrating the festive season with friends and family.
Council is also seeking nominations for the 2023 Mount Isa Australia Day Awards. The awards recognise and celebrate exemplary Mount Isa residents. If you know of someone who has made excellent contributions to the community or achieved great things, I encourage you to nominate them for an award.
Details of the City Library’s School Holiday Program should be up on their Facebook page soon. This is the final “Mount Isa Mail” for 2022 – it will return in mid-January. Thank you for your continued support. See you all in 2023!
Latest Information
• It’s time to start sending your letters to Santa, thanks to the Mount Isa City Library. A letterbox is set up near the customer service area. But hurry – the letterbox will only hang around until December 4.
• As part of Seniors’ Christmas Events this year, Council is pleased to offer local seniors the option of enjoying a free Christmas High Tea at Terrace Gardens, Duchess Road, and/or watching a movie – “Seriously Red” – for free at Cinema Mount Isa. Names will be checked on entry, so bookings are essential.
There are 100 seats available for the High Tea and 150 seats available for the movie. Visit www. mountisa.qld.gov.au/ events/event/34/Seniorschristmas-events to find out more information or to book your spot.
• If at any time your wheelie bin is not emptied as scheduled, please contact Council on 4747 3200 (24 hours).
Mount Isa Events
Christmas Carols 2022
Date: Saturday 3 December 2022
Time: 6pm-10.30pm
Where: Mount Isa Civic Centre, 23 West Street
Kids’ Christmas Market
Date: Friday 9 December 2022
Time: 5pm-8pm
Where: Neighbourhood Centre, 72 Marian St
Latest Updates
Mad Hueys
Council was delighted to be able to host the team from The Mad Hueys for a three-night stay in Mount Isa recently, in partnership with the Outback Queensland Tourism Association and Banana Shire Council. The team arrived on November 16. During their stay, they highlighted several adventure experiences in the region – such as water sports at Lake Moondarra, barramundi fishing, dirtbikes, and 4WDing with locals – before flying home on November 19.
Council will be able to make use of the footage and photos they created during their stay for valuable future marketing purposes, including recruitment campaigns, livability advertisements, and tourism content. Council wishes to thank the Mount Isa Water Ski Club, Mount Isa Fish Stocking Group, VIDA Images, Bax Plumbing, Mount Isa Yard Maintenance and other locals who helped us show off some of the Isa’s best-kept secrets.
Painting Donated
Council will soon be receiving a donation of a Roberto Lupetti painting – “Untitled Still Life 1976” – thanks to Mount Isa resident John Riley.
Mr. Riley purchased the painting in San Francisco in 1976. In a letter to Council, Mr. Riley said the painting is one “of considerable size and beauty”.
“As time moves on, I think this painting should be on display for all to enjoy and am asking the Council if they would consider this as a donation for the display and enjoyment of Isa folk,” he said.
At the Ordinary Meeting on November 16, Councillors agreed to accept the donation and expressed their thanks to Mr. Riley, saying the community will enjoy looking at the painting, which will be hung in either the Mount Isa City Library or Civic Centre.
Local Recipients
Congratulations to the latest recipients of the Council’s Community Grants and Events Sponsorship Program. They were presented with their funds in the Council Chambers, during the November Ordinary Meeting on November 16. The latest recipients are:
• Mount Isa Campdraft Association Inc.: $5500, for the purchase of a commercial dishwasher for the campdraft grounds’ kitchen.
• Football Qld (Mount Isa Soccer): $5500, for the purchase of security cameras for the Mount Isa Soccer grounds.
• LifeFlight Foundation: $2015, for the purchase of a water rescue training manikin for LifeFlight Mount Isa.
• Mount Isa Rugby League: $5500, for the installation of softfall under the children’s playground.
• Townview State School P&C: $4697, for the purchase of coffee, popcorn and snow-cone machines to help with P&C fundraising.
• Mount Isa Heat Swim Team: $1515, for sponsorship of the Mount Isa Heat Swimming Carnival to be held in February 2023.
• Mount Isa School of Dance Inc.: $1837, to sponsor the School of Dance’s “A Winter’s Tale” production, to be held next Saturday and Sunday at the Mount Isa Civic Centre.
• Zonta Club of Mount Isa: $5000, to sponsor the 2023 International Women’s Day Dinner at Buchanan Park.
• Isa Highlanders: $1500, to sponsor the 2022 Outback Titles held on 12 November 2022.
• Commerce North West: $3850, to sponsor the 2022 Northern Outback Business Awards held on 5 November.
Tighter Water Restrictions May be Introduced
Council is keeping a close eye on the water level of Lake Moondarra, with tighter water restrictions likely to be introduced if the level drops below 30% of capacity.
Lake Moondarra was at 33% of capacity at the beginning of November and is on course to reach 30% in the coming weeks.
Storms have provided enough rainfall and runoff to hold the level steady, with the level at 33.7% as of Thursday 24 November.
Mayor Danielle Slade said Mount Isa is presently on Level 2 restrictions, meaning the use of sprinklers and other fixed watering systems is limited to six hours a day (6am-9am and 6pm-9pm) on an odds-and-evens basis, based on the property address.
“In addition, under Level 2 restrictions, handheld hoses can be used every day of the week during the same times,” Cr Slade said.
Should Level 3 restrictions be necessary, the watering times will be reduced to four hours per day, from 6am-8am and 6pm-8pm. Handheld hoses are also restricted to a single block between 6pm and 10pm in the evenings on an odds-and-evens basis.
“Hopefully more rain will fall before Christmas and the potential for harsher water restrictions can be avoided,” Cr Slade said.
A full list of the applicable restrictions can be found at www.mountisa.qld.gov.au/downloads/file/1160/water-restriction-policy.
Connect with the City Council
23 West Street, MOUNT ISA QLD 4825
Monday to Friday – 9.00am – 4.30pm
Afterhours Contact: 07 4747 3200
city@mountisa.qld.gov.au
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