Click here to hear the community’s response.

GARDEN City Cabs manager MATT KROEHN  was commenting on moves … by QUEENSLAND TRANSPORT … to fine taxi drivers who refuse bookings or don’t make themselves available for work.

JESSICA HARGENS reports.

Click Here to hear Jess Hargens

JESS HARGENS reports power workers from TOOWOOMBA attended a rally in BRISBANE yesterday in support of their claim for better wages and conditions.

Click here to hear Jess Hargens

TOOWOOMBA residents have abandoned the rainwater tank rebate scheme, as policy changes force households to plumb tanks internally.

STATE Government figures reveal applications for the rebate have dropped from 5000 applications a month… to around 175 with the new system.

The drop-off comes as TOOWOOMBA’S water supply continues to decline.

TOOWOOMBA REGIONAL COUNCIL Water Services Director, KEVIN FLANAGAN, says although the rebate applications have dropped, the new requirement will maximise use of all water.

Click to hear KEVIN FLANAGAN

TRANSCRIPT:

“It might have scared a few people off because it is more expensive to do that. But I think the idea is, because of the rebate, council, and I think the state government also, wants to see that the water is used more by hooking up to the household. “

May 8, 2008: Local businesses in HIGHFIELDS and CROW’S NEST will be closed for the day to mark the start of the CROW’S NEST Show tomorrow.

Show organisers say it will attract more entries than last year despite the effects the drought has had on the area.

Show Society Treasurer MARK GODDARD says there is an emphasis on water conservation and beating the drought.

Click to hear MARK GODDARD

TRANSCRIPT:
“The local landcare groups have rallied around and got two big display areas and also some of the local schools groups have got some sustainable farming displays and things like that so it just shows what the community is doing to rally around and try and beat the drought.”

The AUSTRALIAN Services Union’s JENNIFER EARL says if power workers don’t get what they want on WEDNESDAY, they’ll take further action.

About 300 workers from the TOOWOOMBA area will travel to BRISBANE to rally for better wages and working conditions.

Ms EARL says if necessary workers will call on Premier ANNA BLIGH to intervene in order to finalise the dispute.

Click to hear JENNIFER EARL

TRANSCRIPT:
“Some of the resolutions members want to discuss on that day is continuing ongoing industrial action. Members are very serious about their claims, they’ll be calling on the Premier to intervene and get involved in these negotiations to finalise them.”

May 8, 2008: TOOWOOMBA police are urging women to stay safe when out at bars and clubs at night.

TOOWOOMBA police Sergeant SCOTT MacGRATH says when people drink too much they often feel invincible and forget basic safety rules.

He reminds women that walking in groups and watching drinks is still very important.

Police, local council and bars in TOOWOOMBA are joining as part of a city watch scheme that provides CCTV coverage of the downtown area.

TOMBA’S nightclub bouncer GLEN SUBAM says that thanks to this system, anyone doing the wrong thing will be caught.

Click to hear GLEN SUBAMTRANSCRIPT:

“Toowoomba’s got a City Watch thing sorta like “Big Brother”, local clubs and security companies, so just be careful because someone’s always watching you.”

May 8, 2008: Local motorcycle riders have one less track to use, after the partial closure of BLACK DUCK VALLEY, near GATTON, yesterday.

The motorcycle and four-wheel-drive park’s owners closed their freestyle track, following the deaths of three people at the park.

BLACK DUCK VALLEY’S management says it is limiting use at the park in response to the State Coroner’s inquest.

Local motorcyclist, ANDREW YOUNG, says although the park is still open, the risk and fun has been taken away.

Click to hear ANDREW YOUNG

TRANSCRIPT:
“It will affect most of the guys that race and stuff, because they would just go down there for the big jumps and if there’s no big jumps, then they won’t really go there.”