Energy rebates helping Queenslanders
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QLD SPER collected a record $400 million and seized 360 vehicles in 2022-23.
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| Orange Mustang Photo: State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER) |
The State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER) has delivered a record $400 million in collections for the financial year, an increase of more than $100 million from last year.
The result coincides with the start of a ‘Brisbane blitz’, as enforcement officers target suburbs, including Chermside, Nundah, Oxley, Mt Gravatt and Tingalpa.
This follows another successful operation for SPER across South East Queensland, targeting repeat traffic fine offenders, where officers seized 58 vehicles and collected more than $1.7 million in cash.
- SPER collected a record $400 million and seized 360 vehicles in 2022-23.
- A new operation will target fine dodgers in Brisbane.
- Enforcement officers seized 58 vehicles in the latest operation, targeting repeat traffic fine offenders.
The operation saw officers execute seizure warrants at locations across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast, taking its haul to a record 360 vehicles seized over the past year.
Cars seized during the operation included a Mustang, Porsche Cayenne, hi-spec utes and even a Harley-Davidson from debtors.
These vehicles will be sold where the owners are not willing to pay their debts.
These are debtors who have demonstrated that they are unwilling to obey the road rules and have endangered other road users through their actions.
One of these debtors had incurred more than 20 traffic fines in the past 12 months alone, including a dozen speeding fines.
Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick:
“Queenslanders rightly expect people to be held accountable for their actions, especially when those actions endanger the safety of others.
“If someone is fined for breaking the law, they should pay that fine promptly.
“The $400 million recovered by SPER is money that will provide services and infrastructure to Queenslanders, helping to reduce cost of living pressures.
“SPER officers will be active across Brisbane suburbs over the coming weeks, targeting those individuals and companies who continue to break the law and rack up fines.
“Officers will clamp and seize vehicles of debtors who refuse to pay what they owe the people of Queensland.
“The Palaszczuk Government is absolutely committed to recovering money owed to the people of Queensland, and that’s why we’ve supported SPER through the Debt Recovery and Compliance Program (DRCP).
Source: Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment
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| Pic of Debbie and Steve Queensland State More than 600 Queenslanders have enquired about becoming a foster carer this year in response to a campaign calling for more carers to open their hearts and homes to vulnerable children.
A foster carer recruitment campaign, featuring carers like Debbie and Steve from Brisbane, is calling for everyday Queenslanders to take on the extraordinary job.
Queensland has more than 6,000 carer families who come from all walks of life, but more are needed to help provide stable and safe homes for at-risk children and young people.
The recruitment campaign – We need more foster carers, like you – showcases the stories of real carers who have opened their homes to young people in care.
This includes married couples with children of their own, de facto couples, single parents, LGBTIQA+ community members and First Nations carers.
Whether it is short or long-term care for children or teenagers, carers are provided with training and support through specialist agencies.
They also get a tax-free fortnightly allowance to help meet the needs of young people placed in their homes.
Quotes attributable to Child Safety Minister Craig Crawford: “I am so proud of Queensland’s foster and kinship carers and their tireless commitment to our most vulnerable children. “Carers are the backbone of our child protection system, and we value them enormously. “Sadly, the number of children coming into care continues to rise, which is why we are always looking for more carers to provide safe and loving homes for young people who can no longer remain safely with their family. “I want to say thank you to the more than six hundred Queenslanders who have expressed an interest in becoming carers this year already– this is the first and most important step towards becoming a carer and changing the life of a child forever. “Through this latest campaign I hope we can inspire even more Queenslanders to consider taking on this incredibly rewarding role because we can never have too many carers. “It is stories like Debbie and Steve’s, and thousands more throughout the state, that best explain why being a foster carer can make such a difference. “As Nelson Mandela said: “there can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children”.” Quotes attributable to Brisbane foster carers Debbie and Steve, parents to five biological children who have been carers for 21 years: “As long as you’ve got that love, that care, that compassion and patience and time, you can become a carer,” said Debbie. “Out of the whole 21 years, we wouldn’t change anything. There's always been ups and downs, but overall, we've just loved every experience that we've had and every child that we've had in our care.” Steve said: “There’s many reasons why kids come into care. We're not there to take them away from mum or dad, or nan or pop. It's just because of the situation they're in at this time. “We’re there to look after the child and provide for them a nice environment, spend time with them, do things with them, take them out, give them a nice warm bed and plenty of food. “Seeing our own children grow up in this environment – it's been an amazing experience for them too. “It's not about jumping in there, thinking you're going to come along and save every little child. It's about opening up your heart, your home, your lives to these little children. “Let’s help one at a time and let’s do the best we can do. “Without us, where would the kids go?” Explainer/fast fact and or further information: Anyone interested in becoming a foster carer should visit www.qld.gov.au/fostercare or call Queensland Foster and Kinship Care on 1300 550 877. Attribution: statements.qld.gov.au/ |
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Queensland’s largest hydro power station will undergo a $17 million overhaul to ensure it continues to operate safely and reliably while delivering clean power for generations. |
- 100 jobs supported during 100-day planned overhaul at Wivenhoe Pumped Hydro.
- $17 million investment to ensure ongoing reliability of the 285MW Unit 2.
- Overhaul works critical for the long-term reliability of Queensland’s largest hydro.
- Unit 1 generator will continue to operate as normal, after its own overhaul in 2021.
Major maintenance works have started at the publicly-owned Wivenhoe Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Power Station this month, creating 100 jobs under the Palaszczuk Government’s Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan. Wivenhoe Pumped Hydro Power Station has two massive 285MW turbines and these planned maintenance works take place every five years which is critical for the long-term reliability of Queensland’s only existing pumped hydro facility. Publicly owned CleanCo is being supported by the specialised workforce at Downer to undertake these works, and where possible is engaging local businesses to support the delivery of this important work. Quotes attributable to the Assistant Minister and Member for Bundamba: “Wivenhoe is incredibly important for our plan to deliver cleaner, cheaper, more secure energy – as Queensland’s only current pumped storage hydroelectric power station it’s a fast ramping, flexible energy generator that is setting us up for 70 per cent renewable energy by 2032. “By undertaking significant maintenance on one turbine at a time, the Wivenhoe Pumped Hydro can continue to operate throughout the overhaul period, providing reliable low-emission energy to the grid. “Our Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan is developing two mega clean energy pumped hydro projects in regional Queensland, Borumba west of the Sunshine Coast and Pioneer-Burdekin west of Mackay. “Our plan also invests in skills, training and support for both our existing energy sector workforce and creating the new jobs and careers of tomorrow.” Quotes attributable to Wivenhoe Site Manager, Trevor Turner “The work we are undertaking requires a highly skilled workforce and during the overhaul the number of people on site will increase almost ten-fold to 100. “Our team will be required to work across three separate work fronts which predominately include working at heights and in confined spaces to inspect and where needed, repair or refurbish the power station structure which is around 50m below Wivenhoe dam level. “They will also complete work in the pipe infrastructure that connects the upper reservoir to the power station which is 6.5 metres in diameter and over 400 metres in length. “The team is very proud of the work we are doing to preserve and enhance the efficiency and long-term reliability of the power station, and our sharp focus on health, safety, environment and quality will be the key to a successful overhaul.” Quotes attributable to CleanCo CEO, Tom Metcalfe: "Wivenhoe Pumped Hydro is a unique asset not only in CleanCo’s portfolio, but in the broader Queensland energy network. It plays an essential role in firming wind and solar energy to provide Queenslanders with reliable, low-emission energy during peak periods,” he said. “These major overhauls allow us to thoroughly inspect the asset and undertake significant maintenance activities to ensure it continues to operate efficiently and reliably as the dependance on energy storage technologies increases.” Quotes attributable to Nikki Poteri-Collie, General Manager Industrial & Energy East, Downer: “Downer has provided outage and maintenance at Wivenhoe for 20 years, and we’re pleased to continue this track record of delivering highly technical services, ensuring the ongoing reliability of this important asset.” “Our expert team was also involved in the most recent overhaul in 2021, and we are committed to ensuring this overhaul is completed with the same high standards of safety and efficiency.” Source: Queensland Government Assistant Minister for Energy Mr Lance McCallum |
Queensland’s trend unemployment rate was steady at 3.8 per cent in March 2023
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| Surfers Paradise Beach Photo by SP Local |
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Tax concessions to drive investment into Build-to-Rent developments housing
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| Southport Rental Apartments Photo Blow the Truth |
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| Olympic Stadium 2032 |
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Two of Queensland’s most popular national parks have expanded thanks to a partnership worth more than $600,000 between the Department of Environment and Science (DES) and the Foundation of National Parks and Wildlife (FNPW).
More than 185 hectares of undisturbed forest habitat has been added to the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage-listed Lamington and Main Range National Parks.
Queensland’s Protected Area Strategy 2020-2030 supports the expansion of our national parks and other protected areas.
- $600,000 deal adds 185 hectares of pristine habitat to much-loved national parks
- More than 14 million hectares in Queensland now protected
Quotes attributable to Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon:
“I’d like to thank our new partners at FNPW for contributing $340,000 towards expanding these extraordinary national parks, which hold a special place in the hearts so many Queenslanders,” Minister Scanlon said.
“The Lamington National Park addition is a pristine area of beautiful tall forests and rugged mountains and is habitat for a range of rare species of fauna and flora.
“One of the best parts of Queensland’s lifestyle is our great natural assets like our National parks.
“This will mean more national park that Queenslanders can access for recreation like bushwalking and camping.
“My department had a long history of cooperative conservation management with Mr Ken and Mrs Jan Drynan who previously owned the property which is surrounded on three sides by Lamington National Park.
“Sadly, Mr Drynan passed away not long after the property was acquired, but with the expansion now formalised, a lasting connection has been forged between his family and park rangers who knew and respected him.
“The joint purchase of this land with FNPW completes a section of park near the New South Wales border and consolidates the park boundary.
“The addition to Main Range National Park has connected two existing sections of the protected area, which are popular for remote bush walking.
“The new area also includes pristine tall forests set beside the rugged and spectacular western escarpment of Main Range and features riverine wetlands of very high aquatic conservation significance.
“With these purchases, the Palaszczuk Government is delivering on our promise to expand and sustainably manage our protected areas.
“We will also consider other privately owned properties with significant conservation values for addition to the protected area estate.
“My department will continue to work with FNPW and other conservation organisations to identify opportunities for co-investment in protected area acquisitions.
“We will continue to add properties to our estate that will help conserve Queensland’s natural and cultural heritage.”
Quotes attributable to Foundation of National Parks and Wildlife CEO Ian Darbyshire:
“The foundation is proud to be a part of the recent acquisitions, which is a significant step in our ongoing efforts to preserve and protect Australia's unique and diverse wildlife and national parks,” Mr Darbyshire said.
“This acquisition aligns with our mission to expand the country's national parks and conserve threatened species for future generations.
“With over 50 years of expertise in park and wildlife preservation, FNPW will continue to work in partnership with government agencies, corporations, and local communities to achieve our goal of creating a lasting impact and positive change for Australia's natural environment.
“We are appreciative of the support of our partners and supporters in making this acquisition possible and look forward to continuing our mission of safeguarding Australia's national parks and wildlife for generations to come.”
Fast facts:
The Palaszczuk Government has committed $262.5 million over four years to expand and sustainably manage Queensland’s National Parks.
More than 14 million hectares in Queensland now protected.
Attribution: State of Queensland
