For a family based company started by 2 brothers and their cousin that has at least 4 generations of Chinchillians, winning Gold at the Business Awards was unexpected enough but to win Business of the Year for 2011 was the topping on the cake. 

 Chinchilla has been named as one of the top places in Australia for investors according to 'Your Investment Property' Magazine. As stated in last week's Chinchilla News, the magazine stated that Chinchilla was tied as equal first in investment across the nation. 

Citing existing infrastructure, proximity to the resource industry and the strength of the agricultural industry following a wet summer as investment drawcards, the magazine's independent study encouraged investors to consider the local area to spend money. 

New CHinchilla Community Commerce and Industry CEO Mark Fitzgerald said the announcement showed the vitality of the town. 

"I think it's an excellent thing" he said. "It shows the area has excellent positive growth and sustainable positive growth"

Western Downs Regional Council councillor Ray Jamieson said there had been an influx of investment in Chinchilla recently. " It's definitely become one of the hot spots of the WDRC" he said. "(Developments have) mostly been residential, there have been some industrial but apart from Woolies and McDonalds there hasn't been too much commercial development."

Chinchilla has seen a major influx of development across the town including a new shopping complex with a Woolworth's supermarket, a number of new housing developments and an industrial estate. 

 The 2011-12 Budget includes major revenue reforms and assistance packages, including a $10,000 Building Boost Grant for people building or buying new homes. Please see link below for further information.

http://www.budget.qld.gov.au/current-budget/tax-reform/index.shtml

With the recent appointment of Bruce Holmes and Warren Barker, Surat Basin Real Estate boast dedicated, experienced staff that specialise in the areas of rural and commercial real estate

 A COALMINE with the potential to become the biggest in the southern hemisphere - Xstrata's 30 million-tonne-a-year Wandoan project in central Queensland - has quietly received environmental approval.

Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke approved the $6 billion development on Monday last week. Xstrata placed a statement on its website welcoming the decision on Friday.

Mr Burke said he was not swayed by the economic benefit of the project to Queensland and that strict environmental conditions would be met.

"While I considered the economic benefits of the project, my focus was on protecting environmental matters of national significance through strict conditions that will minimise potential environmental impacts,'' he said.

The approval takes Xstrata a step closer to a final investment decision, which is expected in the December quarter. The company hopes to be exporting the thermal coal by 2014.

The mine is a joint venture project in which Xstrata holds 75 per cent and ICRA (Itochu) and Sumisho Coal Australia each hold 12.5 per cent stakes. 

 Queensland Rail Chief Executive Officer Paul Scurrah said the Western lines were crucial sections of the Queensland Rail network

Premier and Reconstruction Minister Anna Bligh has announced the flood-damaged Toowoomba rail line was on track to reopen on 28 March, three months earlier than originally forecast.

Ms Bligh said the reopening, ahead of schedule, is great news for Toowoomba and the region.

“This will take trucks off the road and put freight back on trains and that will be welcomed by residents.

“The effort put in here, to fast track the $30 million in repairs, shows the tremendous rebuilding spirit in Queensland.

“This has been a huge job. More than 260 sites required repairs in the Toowoomba Range, including a 25 metre deep washout near the historical Spring Bluff station.

“More than 150 Queensland Rail workers and more than 100 Thiess employees have toiled day and night since January 10,” she said.

Ms Bligh said the effort put in at Toowoomba was being repeated in other areas after floods and cyclone caused about 3800 kilometres of the Queensland Rail network to close.

These closures initially affected an area stretching from Emerald in the central west to Cairns in the north and through south-western Queensland to Quilpie.

“Despite about $107 million in damage state-wide, Queensland Rail is well on the way to re-establishing vital links and getting Queensland moving again.

“The Western and South-Western lines are the last major pieces of the network that remain closed due to damage from the recent natural disasters.

“It has been a massive effort to restore vital infrastructure, involving almost 1000 Queensland Rail staff and contractors working throughout the state,” Ms Bligh said.

Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine said the reopening of the Toowoomba line would be a boost for the region and Queensland.

“The local communities and industries that use this line contribute more than $800 million in exports to the economy each year.

“Each week about 100 trains carrying nearly 200,000 tonnes of freight travel from south-western Queensland over the Toowoomba Range to primary industry processors, the Port of Brisbane, and other markets.

“The reopening of the Western and South-Western lines will reconnect vital trains carrying coal, grain, livestock and general freight to and from towns all the way out to Quilpie and Dirranbandi.

“The Westlander passenger service, which travels from Brisbane to Charleville, will recommence services in mid-April.

“Queensland Rail has put in place arrangements for Westlander customers to travel by bus along the rail route until normal train services recommence,” Mr Shine said.

Minister for Transport Annastacia Palaszczuk said the line west of Toowoomba was hardest hit from January’s floods with extensive washouts and landslips throughout the Range.

“Given that works of this complexity and scale would usually take longer than six months to complete, I am pleased that Queensland Rail is set to reopen the line well ahead of schedule, weather permitting.

“Queensland Rail crews and local contractors have put in an extraordinary effort to work as quickly and safely as possible, which has seen the reopening date brought forward twice,” she said.

Queensland Rail Chief Executive Officer Paul Scurrah said the Western lines were crucial sections of the Queensland Rail network.

“We’ve worked as quickly and safely as possible to ensure vital freight can be transported again by rail,” Mr Scurrah said.

 Flood recovery workshops will be held for businesses in the Darling Downs, Granite Belt and South West region with $85,000 funding from the Queensland Government. 

The Dalby and Chinchilla sports communities will share in nearly $17,000 in infrastructure and equipment funding from the Bligh Government's Sports Flood Fightback Plan.

Sport Minister Phil Reeves said this funding will go a long way towards helping these flood-affected sport and recreation clubs get back on their feet.

"Dalby and Chinchilla are proud sporting communities, and I'm pleased to present three clubs with cheques today," Mr Reeves said.

"The Chinchilla Golf Club will receive $7,150 to resurface their greens.

"$4,947 will go to the Dalby & District Rugby Football Club so they can replace training and playing equipment.

"Dalby Junior Rugby League will receive $4,756 which will go towards replacing training and playing equipment."

Mr Reeves said he expected to announce many more grants under both the equipment and infrastructure elements of the 'flood fightback plan' as clubs are the lifeblood of the community.

"They provide substantial benefits to suburbs, towns and entire regions. In many cases they are the glue which binds communities," Mr Reeves said.

"We've never seen this level of damage to sporting facilities across the state. It's just heart-breaking. Some I've seen have been left with nothing.

"That's why the Bligh Government is making available revamped emergency funds for clubs to repair their facilities and replace equipment.

"Groups can apply for up to $12,500 to replace damaged equipment and up to $60,000 to help repair infrastructure.

"This new package of assistance includes a 1800 173 349 advice line which will help clubs access money, skills and professional advice on how clubs can get back up and running.

"The Bligh Government understands the impact the floods have had on Queensland families.

"It's important that young families continue to have the opportunity to get their children outdoors and playing organised sport."