Council Cab trial
Council was delighted this year to launch a trial of a Council Cab service , an initiative of the Toowoomba Region Sustainable Transport Strategy . The service enabled eligible seniors and people with a disability to travel from their home to their nearest major shopping centre , one day a week for $ 2 per trip ($ 4 for a return journey ); Council then paid for the balance of the cab fare . By becoming regular users of the Council Cab service , our residents enjoyed greater independence and convenience without relying on friends and family to get out and about . Whether for shopping or socialising , Council welcomed community feedback and comments during the trial phase , including feedback from residents outside the initial service areas .
In partnership with Black & White Cabs ( including Garden City Cabs and Yellow Cabs ), Council provided a subsidised ride-share taxi service to most areas in Cabarlah , Cambooya , Crows Nest , Gowrie Junction , Hampton , Highfields , Kingsthorpe , Meringandan , Oakey , Pittsworth , Southbrook Toowoomba , Westbrook and Wyreema and were serviced by Pittsworth & District Taxi Services . 134 eligible persons registered for Council Cab service this financial year , ensuring the extension of the project until June 2017 .
Goombungee Showgrounds Grant
A $ 7,332 Council grant has this year helped the Goombungee Showgrounds to install new stockyards next to existing yards , which will create a fantastic boost for camp draft events , the pony club and the show – particularly the annual Goombungee Rodeo . Council ’ s community grant program is designed to offer financial assistance to a diverse range of community and not-for-profit groups with preference given to applications that fulfil a range of criteria . The Council Grants program is designed to cover community inclusiveness and interaction , encourage community partnerships and upgrade facilities or services .
Tech Savvy for Seniors
The world of technology can be a daunting place for our ageing Toowoomba Region residents , but this year , free help was on hand to assist our seniors to navigate digital information and social media . The Tech Savvy Seniors Queensland program , an initiative of the State Library of Queensland , was open
to novices , or any senior citizen wishing to improve their skills and stay connected in the digital age . The program covered a range of topics including how to use a tablet device , introduction to the internet and email , navigating social media , shopping online and accessing government and banking services . The Tech Savvy Seniors Queensland program is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Telstra that will allow 38 Queensland local governments to deliver training through public libraries and Indigenous Knowledge Centres .
Celebrating the multicultural Toowoomba Region
“ One World Many Faces ” is the theme of the iconic Toowoomba Languages and Cultures Festival and this year saw over 16,000 people join us to celebrate the diversity of languages and cultures that exist within our region . We are committed to ensuring our community has the opportunity to understand cultural and linguistic diversity and Council continues to deliver on its services that focus on access , equality , participation , planning and consultation . This year saw over 100 engagement opportunities to support our culturally and linguistically diverse ( CALD ) communities including festivals , cross-cultural training , celebrations and networking opportunities .
Supporting our seniors
Our seniors are an important part of our community in many different ways and we continue to provide engaging activities so that our seniors can remain connected in our community . This year 3,131 seniors across the region participated in over 45 programs including bingo , trivia , concerts and craft activities . A survey following the events found that our seniors were 95 per cent satisfied with the local programs , the supply of morning tea and the opportunity that the events provide to connect with other like-minded community members . To financially support our seniors , Council offers a pensioner rate on Council rates for eligible pensioners of the Queensland Government pensioner remission . Our seniors are also able to access Blue Care weekly respite ( Goombungee and Meringandan districts ), and this year our seniors have made full use of the CHANGE project activities ( Council ’ s health and wellbeing program ), which encourages our seniors to maintain active healthy lifestyles .
Languages & Cultures Festival
84 CHAPTER 4 Our goals TOOWOOMBA REGIONAL COUNCIL Annual Report 2015 - 2016