Toowoomba Regional Council reports:

Home Water Use: Householders will be helped to manage their water consumption accurately, almost tap by tap, under a new Toowoomba Regional Council pilot study domestic water usage.

The 10-home initial study lets council officers use a smart metering system to record detailed information about volume used in different areas of the home.

The pilot is the newest part of TRC’s water demand management designed to log-on water meters to a four-month trial for detailed analysis of end uses in toilets, showers, washing machines and other appliances and fixtures within the home.

Modified meters can read volumes as small as 14 millilitres ensuring that small events and leaks can be spotted.

The pilot is the work of USQ Engineering student Nicola Mead and other TRC officers. Nicola has overseen the project. Cr Paul Antonio, Deputy Mayor, says data will eventually assist council decide where additional investment or subsidies should be applied to water saving programs.

Free entry to Cobb & Co Museum: Cobb and Co Museum has joined with Toowoomba Regional Council to offer free entry to residents. Mayor Peter Taylor says Toowoomba residents had enjoyed free entry by presenting their Library Cards. Now any regional resident could get in free by proving identity, for example with a Driver’s Licence.

Director Deborah Tranter looks forward to visitors from Crow’s Nest, Highfields, Oakey, Cambooya, Pittsworth, Clifton, Goombungee, and Millmerran. Free visits will be offered soon to all district schools. For information, telephone 4639-1971 or email inquiries@cobbandco.qm.gov.au

Art Gallery’s Asia-Pacific Exhibition: While the Beijing Olympics are dominating the airways, a selection of 50 art works and moving images by leading contemporary Chinese and Asia-Pacific artists is at Toowoomba’s Art Gallery until September 14.

The exhibition – “Frame by Frame, Asia Pacific Artists on Tour” - is from the Queensland Art Gallery’s Asia Pacific Collection. Works are from China, Pakistan, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. This is the only major series of its kind in the world. It will tour eight regional centres across Queensland until 2010,

Book seats for Carnival parade: Covered seating for the Carnival of Flowers Grand Central Floral Parade can be reserved for $12 each. A limited number is available along the route for sale through the Empire Theatre Box Office on 1300-655-299 Carnival is from September 19 to 28. Seats will be grouped in sections from opposite the Art Gallery along the eastern side of Ruthven Street to the Margaret Street intersection.

Women’s conference for Toowoomba: Toowoomba has won the rights to host a major women’s conference next year – ALGWA (Australian Local Government Women’s Association Queensland Branch.) There will be more than 100 attending.

Cr Anne Glasheen, spokesperson for TRC’s Administrative Services portfolio,
Is a former Vice President. Of the 12-member committee elected on August 1, four are from TRC’s area.

Vice-President Julie Michael served three terms as a Crow’s Nest Shire councillor and Secretary Lyn Wagland was a Pittsworth Councillor from 2000-2008. Publicity Co-Ordinator Cr Glasheen was first elected to Clifton Shire Council in 1991 and has served as Councillor and Deputy Mayor until this year when she was elected to TRC. Zone 3 Representative Maryann Bisdee also served as a Clifton councillor.

TRC’s Engineering Services Portfolio chair Cr Carol Taylor has been involved since 2000, as a Zone representative and a Vice-President 2002-2004.