April 30, 2008: Traffic lights will be installed on the corner of Kingaroy and Avoca streets, Kingaroy, to handle increased traffic to the new SupaIGA complex but probably not before the store opens.

Store manager Stephen Anderson told the Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce Meet'n'Greet on Monday night that the opening date of the store would be announced "very shortly".

Stephen also explained the IGA Community Chest concept where the store supports local charitable causes with a donation from every sale. Last year IGA stores around Australia donated more than $6 million to schools, fire brigades, youth groups etc

Meanwhile, John Hyslop, owner of the new Kingaroy store, the Yarraman IGA and the Gatton SupaIGA, is not letting the grass grow beneath his feet. He will begin construction soon on a new 200sq m SupaIGA store in Warwick.

April 29, 2008 - The latest edition of the Wide Bay Burnett Area Consultative Committee's electronic Regional Update is now available online.

This edition includes information about two part-time positions available at the Burnett Inland Economic Development Organisation (BIEDO) and the Fraser Coast South Burnett Tourism Awards information meeting which will be held in Kingaroy on May 23.

The electronic newsletter is designed to provide all the latest information on events, activities and grant opportunities distributed by the Federal Government.
To join the email mailing list, contact Cameron Bisley at the WBBACC on (07) 4121-7099 or email him

April 28, 2008 - South Burnett Regional Council Mayor David Carter confirmed today that the sale of the Murgon Saleyards would go ahead.

Cr Carter told ABC Radio the new Council had approved the sale and expected a settlement soon.

The sale had been delayed by a technicality during the council amalgamation process while Murgon Shire Council was in "caretaker mode".

FOOTNOTE: If you haven't traded in your old CDMA mobile phone, you'd better do it today! At midnight tonight, Telstra will be switching off its CDMA network ...

April 24, 2008 - There's no longer any excuse for getting lost on the backroads and byways of the South Burnett!

CKSmaps from Blackbutt (in reality Karyn and Colin Simpson) have got the area covered in detail in their home-published Rural Roads & Local Town Maps street directory, (right).

The idea for the directory began in 2004 as a simple guide to around Blackbutt and Nanango when the couple, newly arrived from NSW, felt the need for such a publication. It quickly expanded to cover from Bell to Goomeri and all points in between. Karyn says she received a lot of help from the former local councils in her project but has also relied heavily on local knowledge to fill in the gaps.

The book, which is continually being updated, is available from several local outlets including Pomfrets Plumbing in Kingaroy, the Blackbutt Newsagency, the Nanango Visitor Information Centre and the Kingaroy Visitor Information Centre.

April 23, 2008 - Kingaroy's The Peanut Van has released two new flavoured peanut products to add to their ever-expanding range.

The new flavours are Salt & Pepper and Cinnamon Sugar which have been officially released after six weeks of customer trials.

The new flavours will be available in 1kg, 375g and 200g packets at The Peanut Van's Kingaroy, Childers, Sunshine Coast and Chermside stores.

April 22, 2008 - The Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce & Industry is spicing up its next Meet'n'Greet on April 28 by holding it at JD's Spice Train, the new Indian restaurant located at the Kingaroy Country Motel at 34 Knight Street, Kingaroy.

Chef Jay Kilpadi will be preparing the snacks and refreshments can be purchased at the licensed bar. Guest speakers are South Burnett Regional Council Mayor Cr David Carter, Kathy Masters from Sunny Ridge Gardens and Stephen Anderson from SupaIGA.

Cost is $10 for KCCI members and $13 for non-members. RSVP by Thursday April 24 to Polly Birchall on (07) 4162-8466.

April 21, 2008 - An huge water source in the coal-seam gasfields of the Surat Basin could prove the basis of a new water supply for drought-stricken local towns and Tarong Power Station.

The Sunday Mail newspaper reported yesterday that "a massive 100 to 125 megalitres of water a day" would be pumped out once the gasfields hit full production in about seven or eight years.

One suggestion for this "waste product" from the gas field includes a pipeline to feed Wivenhoe Dam with a lower-quality discharge going to the Tarong power stations.

Read more on the Sunday Mail's website

April 18, 2008 - The Housing Information Association will be holding short information sessions on three topics of interest to building tradespeople in Kingaroy on Thursday May 1.

Information sessions will be held at Turners Mitre 10 on Rogers Drive from 5:15pm. Topics to be covered are:

• 5 Star Energy Efficiency Requirements
  
• BSA Supervisor's Licence Requirements
  
• Certificate IV

One-on-one appointments are also available with HIA advisers to discuss technical, licensing or safety issues.

Seats are limited. To register interest in attending the information session or to arrange a one-on-one appointment, phone Josie Norman on (07) 5459-4751 or send her an email

April 17, 2008 - Local cheesemaker Chris Ganzer will be holding a special cheesemaking class on Saturday at Kingaroy Cheese.

Chris will be teaching participants how to make their own soft moulded cheese at home. Cost is $150 which includes lunch using South Burnett produce and Barambah Wines.

In July, Chris will be sharing his award-winning cheesemaking skills with an even wider audience when he holds a hands-on Cooking School at the prestigious Black Pearl Epicure food institute in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane.

For more information about either workshops, contact Kingaroy Cheese on (07) 4162-5990.

April 16, 2008 - One of Australia's best known customer service presenters, Debra Templar, will be holding two special seminars in the South Burnett next month, thanks to the Wide Bay Burnett Area Consultative Committee, the Small Business Field Officer program, the Murgon Business and Development Association and the Nanango Chamber of Commerce.

Debra, from Australian Retail Services, is an accomplished public speaker as well as a consultant and author of books covering topics such as selling, merchandising, customer service and retailing.

The seminars will be held in:

• Murgon - Tuesday 5th May from 7:00pm (including a two-course dinner). Bookings to Margaret at Murgon Real Estate on (07) 4168-2922 by May 2.
  
  
• Nanango - Wednesday 7th May from 7:00am (including breakfast). Bookings to Jane at Nanango Real Estate on (07) 4163-1677 by May 5.

Flyers with more information are available to download from the WBBACC website.