Community Information

Awards Programs

While visiting the Burdekin, take the time to see a live show or inspect some of the displays at the Burdekin Cultural Complex. Located in Queen Street, Ayr, the complex includes the Burdekin Theatre, music loft and community library.

The 500-seat theatre has played host to hundreds of national and international stars during its history and has fostered the cultural abilities of many locals through musical productions and eisteddfods.

Visitors should check out just who is performing at the theatre while they are in town to fully appreciate this fine facility.

If time doesn’t permit seeing a show, one of the highlights of the theatre is it’s ‘Gallery of the Stars’ – a photographic history of the big names who have taken to the stage there.

The gallery is located in the theatre foyer, which is open between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.

Once in the foyer, take the opportunity to look at the number of wonderful artworks on display including Mike Tracey’s steel-fashioned cane cutters and two colourful murals created by acclaimed artist Mirka Mora. The water feature in the theatre forecourt was created by Stephen Walker to recognise the importance of water to the Burdekin community.

Adjacent to the theatre is the Burdekin Library. The library includes a large collection of books for every type of reader. The library also offers Internet access for visitors needing to connect with the world. Please note, bookings are essential.

To find out more about the Burdekin Cultural Complex and the coming attractions at the Burdekin Theatre, please contact the Theatre Manager.

To find out what is happening in the Burdekin view the local Calendar of Events or read about the following major events in the area.

Major Local Events

How can I become an Australian Citizen?

You need to make an application to become an Australian Citizen. The Federal Government Department of Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs is responsible for Australian Citizenship and processes all applications.

How long does the citizenship process take?

Council is not involved in the processing of applications. If you have submitted an application and you would like to check on how it is proceeding, you should contact the Department of Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs on 131 880. The Department will advise you in writing once your application has been approved, and forward your certificate to Council so that you can attend a citizenship ceremony.

Is there a fee involved?

Yes. The fee is payable to the Department of Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs. To find out what the current fee is, you should contact the Department of Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs on 131 880.

Where can I obtain a citizenship application form?

Council has application packages available for your convenience. You can obtain a package from Council’s Administration Building or request us to mail one to you. Alternatively, you may contact the Department of Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs on 131 880 or visit their website http://www.citizenship.gov.au/The application package contains further information and a guide on how to apply.

Do I have to attend a citizenship ceremony to become a citizen?

Yes. All successful applicants for Australian Citizenship must attend a ceremony and make their pledge to Australia.

When are the citizenship ceremonies held?

Council holds a ceremony, each year on Australia Day, either at the Burdekin Theatre or the Burdekin Memorial Hall in conjunction with other Australia Day festivities. Usually another one or two ceremonies are held throughout the year in the Council Chambers.

Can I bring my family and friends to the ceremony?

Yes. You can bring family and/or friends. Guests for ceremonies held on Australia Day would need to purchase tickets. Numbers are limited for other ceremonies held in the Council Chambers due to the space available. You will also need to let us know the number of guests you will be bringing for catering purposes.

For an information pack call into the Customer Service Centre at the Burdekin Shire Council.

A community contact list of local groups and organisations.

• Community Groups
• Community Halls
• Real Estate Agents
• Schools and Colleges
• Sport and Recreation Facilities
• Youth Groups and Organisations

Burdekin’s Community Information Centre is located at 119 Queen Street, Ayr.  Phone contact is 4783 7633.

The 2012-2022 Burdekin Shire Community Plan is currently being developed.

Disaster Management

Disaster preparedness is critical when living the tropical north, and within these pages you will find all the information you will need to be prepared.

Emergency Information about Cyclones, Floods and Storm Tides

Cyclone, Flood and Storm Tide Disaster Management

During times of disaster such as cyclones, flooding etc. the Burdekin Shire Council Local Disaster Coordination Centre is activated at the discretion of the Chairperson of the Local Disaster Management Group or delegate. The centre may also be activated at the request of the Local Disaster Coordinator or the District Disaster Management Group or the District Disaster Coordinator.

Once the Centre is activated the local contact number for the Burdekin Shire Council will also become the Local Disaster Coordination Centre number. This number is 4783 9800 and will be activated and widely publicised through local radio.

Burdekin Shire Council Local Disaster Management Group

Under the Disaster Management Act 2006 local government must establish a Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) for the local government’s area. The Burdekin Shire Council’s LDMG is chaired by the Mayor of the Burdekin Shire Council, and includes Executive Council Officers, representatives from Police, Fire, Ambulance, SES, health, tourism and other advisory members as required.

Council’s disaster management adviser is the Local Disaster Coordinator. The Local Disaster Coordinator also coordinates the disaster management and disaster risk management planning, development and staff training for the Burdekin Shire.

The Burdekin Local Disaster Management Group is responsible to the DDMG for:

• Developing disaster management arrangements and allocating responsibilities
• Coordinating operations
• Preparing disaster management plans for the Burdekin Shire
• Establishing and maintaining a local emergency service.

Burdekin Shire Local Disaster Management Plan

Under the provisions of the Disaster Management Act 2003, Burdekin Shire Council must prepare a Local Disaster Management Plan (LDMP) to address the disaster management needs of the Shire. The Burdekin Shire LDMP ensures that:

1. community risks related to events are effectively managed;
2. risks requiring district level support are identified and communicated to the district level;
3. the local government and local groups comply with their disaster management obligations under the Disaster Management Act 2003 and other obligations related to disaster management that the local government determines.

The plan aims to achieve prevention, preparedness, response and recovery objectives in accordance with the values of the disaster management strategic framework:

• Protecting health, safety, quality of life and economic vitality
• Building and maintaining partnerships and collaboration across all levels of government, community and industry, in all aspects of disaster management
• Protecting our natural and built environment
• Respecting the diversity of Queensland communities
• Ensuring accountability and transparency of the Queensland disaster management arrangements

The council maintains databases of Businesses, Community Organisations and Sports and Recreation Organisations within the area.  There is also a Burial Register that includes details of all the burials and reservations at the Ayr and Home Hill cemeteries.

What type of funding is available for local sporting and cultural organisations and individuals?

Burdekin Shire Council has a policy of providing financial assistance to individuals selected for State or National representation. The type of assistance is aimed at assisting local juniors who have been selected for representative fixtures or partly assisting with travel costs. A scale of assistance has been established. Individual applicants must be residents of Burdekin Shire or full time students whose supporting parents reside in the Burdekin Shire.

An individual is limited to one grant per sport per financial year, unless selected for higher honours.

Applications may be submitted at any time.

Regional Arts Development Fund, run in partnership with Arts Queensland, provides funding for artistic projects, concept development, individual professional development and skills development. There are two rounds per year.

Phone Janice Horan for more details on (07) 4783 9800.

Location

Pioneer Avenue is located in the central business district in Eighth Avenue, Home Hill from Sixth Street to Tenth Street.

Who can apply for a plaque?

Person/persons who have settled in the Burdekin Delta Region before 1925.

What is required?

An applicant shall provide appropriate evidence to Council, of settlement prior to 1925. Eg: Extract from a reputable text, Birth, Marriage or Death Certificate.

A brief local history of the pioneer is to be provided.

Cost:

Descendants of the pioneer will be required to make a contribution to the project. The level of contribution is currently $750.00 (per plaque).

Council will co-ordinate the project and carry out ongoing maintenance.

Please contact Eliza Lovell or Tammy Quagliata for any enquiries by phoning 4783 9800 or email .

The Burdekin Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) is a State and Local Government Partnership in regional arts and cultural development.

Closing dates

There are two funding rounds each year which are advertised in the local newspaper.

Round 1 – May – for projects commencing after 1 August

Round 2 – November – for projects commencing after 1 February

What is RADF

The Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) supports arts and cultural development at the local level through regional Queensland. RADF is a partnership between participating local councils and the Queensland Government, improving the quality of life and generating a potent force for regional renewal.

How does RADF work?

Each year Burdekin Shire Council lodges a bid for funding with Arts Queensland. If approved, Arts Queensland provides 60% of the bid, and Council 40%. RADF invites grant applications from the community twice annually – in May and November.

RADF Committee members assess the grant applications according to RADF guidelines and the Council’s art and cultural development policy and recommend which applicants they consider should receive funding and how much. The RADF Liaison Officer presents their recommendations to Council. Council ratifies the committee decisions and the funds are distributed.

Applications for funding must be made to Council on the appropriate RADF form.

Categories of RADF Funding

Developing Regional Skills

For individual professional artists and artsworkers living in regional Queensland to attend professional development seminars or activities; master-classes; mentorships with recognised arts and cultural peers; and placements with recognised arts and cultural organisations.

• RADF grants will support intrastate and interstate activities only.
• Arts Queensland’s Individual Professional Development grants support international activities.
• Assistance is available for up to 65 per cent of the total costs to a maximum of $1000 for Queensland travel and $2000 for national travel.

Councils may also support Quick-Response Grants under this category for:

• opportunities for professional development that unexpectedly become available out of the normal local RADF rounds
• applications usually up to six weeks before the event/activity.

Building Community Cultural Capacity

For community groups to engage a professional artist or artsworker to work with them on developing their arts practice or to run arts development workshops or community projects.

• RADF grants will support travel, accommodation and fees associated with employing professional artists or artsworkers to work on community projects or workshops in the local community.
• Assistance is available for up to 65 per cent of the total costs of the project or workshop.
• This category is also open to councils that wish to assume a co-ordination role for projects.

Interest Free Art Loans

For arts activities that will generate an income greater than the amount of the loan, and where no other funding source is available.

• RADF Interest-free Arts Loans will support activities that can demonstrate a prior commitment from a distributor or producer, e.g. a publisher, gallery or venue that can confirm and substantiate revenue forecasts.
• The total amount of the loan must be paid back at the conclusion of the activity.

Cultural Tourism

For projects and activities that focus on communities’ locally distinct arts, culture and heritage both for members of that community and for visitors.  RADF grants can support initiatives and activities that focus on:

• product development by professional artists, either as individuals or in partnership with individual community members or community groups marketing of professional artistic product.

Contemporary Collections/Stories

To preserve and provide access to locally held collections of significance, and collect and tell local stories from the past and the present that can demonstrate state and/or local significance. The priorities for this category are proposals for post-1960 heritage and Indigenous stories that can demonstrate strong community participation and ownership.

• RADF grants can support:
• Documentation, preservation, interpretation projects and collection management training through community-based workshops community stories, which can be documented in a variety of forms and mediums, including plays, videos, artwork, digital exhibitions, education programs, oral histories and publications.
• Community organisations such as historical societies, museums, libraries, archives, galleries, Indigenous and migrant community groups which collect and provide public access to their cultural heritage collections are eligible to apply.
• Applicants must provide a statement of significance with their applications.

Regional Partnerships

To encourage innovative and energising arts projects where artists, communities and councils work together in their community, or in partnership with another community, to achieve enhanced outcomes from RADF grants.

RADF grants will support projects that can demonstrate a partnership between:

• artists and local industry
• artists and community arts organisations
• artists and non-arts community organisations
• cross-council collaborations.

This category is also open to councils.

Concept Development

To develop arts research ideas and project proposals to the implementation stage and identify funding sources outside of RADF to implement project proposals. RADF grants will support individuals and groups who wish to engage in professional research and the development of ideas and project proposals to the implementation stage. No specific artform product is required. However, the project should demonstrate how it will contribute to future arts development.

Potential funding sources for the implementation of the project must be identified prior to making an application and must be noted in the application form.

This category is also open to councils.

Arts Policy Development and Impementation

To support councils to:

• develop cultural policy, cultural mapping, visioning and planning proposals
• partner on regional cultural policy co-ordination activities
• cross-regional cultural planning
• development of cultural tourism plans
• community consultation, facilitation and preparation of the documents (but not publishing)
• RADF Committee training.

Application Forms

The forms listed below can be filled out and returned to the Burdekin Shire Council. The documents below are in PDF format and you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print the documents.

Click below to download:

• RADF Applicant Guidlines
• RADF Application Form
• RADF Applicant Outcome Report
• RADF Eligibility Checklist for Professionals & Emerging Professional Artists
• Electronic Funds Transfer Payment Request Form

Who can submit grant applications to the Burdekin RADF committee?

The program supports locally determined regional arts and cultural development opportunities by providing discrete, short term, project based financial assistance.

Individuals and organisations are encouraged to seek assistance for:

• Professional services to amateur arts activity
• Travel costs associated with local artists attending specialised seminars/workshops in major centres for the purpose of individual professional development;
• Professional components of activities such as residencies, productions, commissions, exhibitions, short term workshops, research and promotion;
• Networking, training and professional development for local artsworkers.

Successful Applicants

All successful applicants are required to acknowledge Burdekin Shire Council and Arts Queensland in all publicity. Please be sure to read the Arts Queensland Acknowledgement Protocol.

Arts Queensland Acknowledgement protocol

Arts Queensland logo

Burdekin Shire Council crest

Outcome Report Forms

Successful applicants, upon completion of their project will be required to complete and submit an Outcome Report. It is important for successful applicants to complete the form correctly.

The form below can be filled out and returned to the Burdekin Shire Council. The document is in PDF format and you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print the document.

Click below to fill out and or download:

• RADF Applicant Outcome Report

Committee Members

Your Burdekin RADF Liaison Officer is:

Mrs Janice Horan Phone : 4783 9836 Fax : 4783 9999 Email :