Man airlifted after falling from truckAN 18-year-old man was flown to Canberra Hospital on Tuesday afternoon after he suffered serious head injuries in a workplace accident at a property along Currandooley Road, Bungendore.
Goulburn man Andrew Skelly was working for Fyshwick-based tree-lopping company Treeworks when he fell from a rigid tipper truck at around 2.10pm on Tuesday afternoon.
His colleagues called emergency services, and the South Care helicopter was sent a short time later.
Queanbeyan police enquiries revealed that the driver of the truck, 27-year-old Kurt Lindsay Carney, also of Goulburn, was a suspended driver on bail for a previous driving offence.
While Carney’s driving is not alleged to have caused the accident, he was nevertheless charged with driving unlicensed and faced Queanbeyan Local Court on Wednesday, where he pleaded guilty to the offence.
Carney will be sentenced for this and a previous traffic offence at Moss Vale on February 6. His existing bail was continued until that date.
Vaccinations due for kids
The Southern NSW Local Health District is reminding families to make sure their children’s vaccinations are up to date before school returns during the week, including the four-year-old booster.
Vaccinations for babies are scheduled at 2, 4, 6, 12 and 18 months, and then again at four years. Acting Director of Public Health Alison Nikitas said these immunisations are a simple, safe way of protecting children against harmful infections and diseases.
“Exposing your child to the risk of these conditions is dangerous as childhood diseases can cause serious complications and sometimes death,” Ms Nikitas said.
"Parents should remember these diseases are easily spread from person to person, and when immunisation rates fall the diseases can return.
“Timely boosting at four years of age for whooping cough will help protect the immunised child as well as helping to protect any infants in the household,” she said.
For more information, about immunisations visit www.immunise.health.gov.au
P est roadshow for Queanbeyan
THE damage caused by invasive animals such as foxes, rabbits, feral pigs and European carp costs Australia more than $1 billion every year.
To help combat the loss of livestock, infrastructure and biodiversity caused by these introduced pests, the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre is for the first time bringing the PestSmart Roadshow to Queanbeyan and other towns across the nation, starting at the Queanbeyan Conference Centre on Monday.
The day-long roadshow is aimed at updating graziers, farmers, public land managers and anyone interested in the control of invasive animals on the latest policy guidelines, legislation, control tools, best-practice management and implementation of control measures.
To register, for the PestSmart Roadshow visit www.pestsmart.eventbrite.com.au.< p>The Roadshow runs from 8am to 5pm with meals provided.
Drivers fined after need for speed
TWO young female motorists have been fined and had their licences suspended after speeding near Bywong on the Federal Highway.
Police first detected a 20-year-old Nora Head woman at 5.30pm travelling at 144km/h.
An hour later highway patrol stopped a 21-year-old from Captains Flat woman doing 137km/h. Both P-platers were issued with a suspension notice and given on the spot fines.
Inspector Chris Varley said to have young people driving at such excessive speeds was a real worry.
On Sunday a 40-year-old man was caught driving at 147km/h in a notorious blackspot south of Braidwood. Police detected the man driving at more than 45km/h above the speed limit along the Kings Highway at 9.35am.
Inspector Varley said the man’s licence was immediately suspended and he was issued a fine of almost $1900.
High-range drink driver
A 23-YEAR-OLD woman was arrested for high-range drink driving on Sunday morning along Canberra Avenue.
The woman was stopped for a random breath test by police before recording a blood alcohol level of .173.
The woman will attend Queanbeyan Local Court to face drink driving charges.
Police officer injured in pursuit
A QUEANBEYAN police officer has suffered serious lacerations after attempting to chase an offender over a fence at Carri Crescent, Queanbeyan.
Police responded to a disturbance on Saturday afternoon at 5.30pm where a man had allegedly smashed up a house and assaulted someone.
When they arrived a man fled toward the back of the house before jumping a fence. A police officer gave chase but was snagged on a steel pole.
He suffered injuries to his left shoulder and chest. Inspector Chris Varley said the officer was unable to work and would need further surgery for his injuries.
Pub fight overflows
A FIGHT on Saturday morning at 1am involving a number of people resulted in a man being knocked unconscious and another being charged with affray.
Police observed several men fighting on Monaro Street early Saturday morning. Although the group of combatants initially disbanded at the sight of police further scuffles broke out.
As police intervened one man became verbally abusive and was asked to leave the area.
A 27-year-old involved allegedly involved in a fight was arrested and charged after attempting to flee the scene.
Investments up
QUEANBEYAN City Council investments have performed well despite turbulent financial markets during the past six months. Council investments earned $337,464 for the month of December bringing total interest earned for the 2011/12 Financial Year to more than $1.64 million. Investment earnings after six months remain $301,000 less than Council’s budget forecasts. Council’s principle investment amount at December 31 was more than $68.5 million.
Wind farm input
QUEANBEYAN residents are encouraged to make their voices heard about the NSW Government’s draft planning guidelines for wind farms. The guidelines are currently on public exhibition until March 14 and can be found on the NSW Planning department’s website.
Member for Monaro John Barilaro said draft guidelines ensured all decisions on wind farm developments took into account the views of locals.
“As these guidelines are in draft form, residents and applicants can continue to have their say in the future approach to wind farms in NSW,’’ he said.
The draft guidelines can be accessed at: www.planning.nsw.gov.au/onexhibit ion.
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