The reminder comes after reports in recent weeks show Telstra customers have received visits or calls from telemarketers who falsely claim to be ‘taking over the Telstra network’. Telstra is urging residents to be cautious of sales representatives to make sure they are not misleading customers.

Telstra General Manager Country Coast and Capricornia, Barbara Wells, said her office had received several reports from customers concerned about calls that seemed misleading or suspicious.

“It’s unsettling to hear of our customers being misled in this way. There are a couple of things people should do to identify that the person they are speaking to is a legitimate Telstra employee,” Ms Wells said.

“Customers have received calls from people saying they work closely with Telstra and the customer could retain the benefits of Telstra’s local support for their full service if they agree to transfer just one component, such as long-distance calling,” she said.

“If you’re feeling unsure, just say ‘no thank you’, as it is possible for unethical sales groups unrelated to Telstra to gain authorisation for the transfer of a telephone account, without a customer necessarily being aware.

Telstra proceedures:

• Dealers and external suppliers are engaged to visit Telstra customers and make calls on the company’s behalf. They will explain that they are representing or calling on behalf of Telstra. The reason for the call and details of the caller is always made very clear. Importantly, telemarketing callers will ask customers to verify themselves for security reasons with their date of birth when offering a new service or plan to existing Telstra customers – so customers should make sure the caller does this.
• Customers should feel free to ask the consultant in what capacity they represent Telstra and/or a contact name and number if they want to subsequently verify the caller.

What not to expect from Telstra:

• Telstra will not make calls under our former trading name ‘Telecom’.
• Telstra will not release customer information to other telecommunications companies in order for them to ‘take-over’ our relationship with our Telstra home phone customers.

Tips:

• Telstra is advising customers to be careful about what they sign, and should bear in mind that they may be entitled to a cooling off period of 10 days for door to door sales.  If a cooling off period applies, this means you can change your mind; provided you give notice to the carrier that you do not want their services within the 10 day period after signing.
• Customers can phone Telstra on 1800 260 270 with any concerns about calls from telemarketers or to report rogue telemarketers. Instances of improper or unethical sales practices can be reported to our Sales Watch Hotline on 1800 260 270 between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.  We are prepared to receive complaints about any type of sales activity, including door-to-door and telemarketing.

5pm – Capricorn Coast Tourism Advisory Group Meeting, venue TBA, Yeppoon

6pm – Capricorn Coast Networking Night, Venue TBA, Yeppoon

All members are invited to the August Tourism Advisory Group (TAG) Meeting, followed by a Networking Night. Not able to attend the TAG? Meet us for nibbles and drinks at 6pm, to network with Capricorn Tourism & Economic Development Members.

RSVP – Janine Crute, VIC Supervisor (Capricorn Coast) 07 4939 4888, janinecrute@capricorntourism.com.au

2 September TAG & Networking Night (Rockhampton)

5pm – Rockhampton Tourism Advisory Group Meeting, venue TBA, Rockhampton

6pm – Rockhampton Networking Night, venue TBA, Rockhampton

Members in the Rockhampton area are cordially invited to attend the Rockhampton Tourism Advisory Group (TAG) Meeting, followed by a networking function. Not able to attend the TAG? Meet us for nibbles and drinks at 6pm, to network with Capricorn Tourism & Economic Development Members.

RSVP – Michelle Pownall, VIC Supervisor (Rockhampton) 07 4921 2311, michellepownall@capricorntourism.com.au

Friday 8 October “Driven by Innovation”

9am-3pm   Capricorn 100 Innovative Forum, CQUniversity

This inaugural event reflects the innovative theme of CTEDL’s strategic plan – guest speakers will include: Vice-Chancellor (CQUniversity) Professor Scott Bowman and Acting CEO Stanwell Corporation Ltd, Wayne Collins. This forum seeks to inspire innovative practices of businesses large and small in our quest to become the country’s most innovative region. Invitations and forum details will be forwarded to all members soon. Watch this space as we announce our very special key note speaker.

This formal event celebrates the best in tourism and industry throughout the whole of Central Queensland.

Included in your ticket price is a gourmet 3 course meal and complimentary beer, wine and soft drinks.

RSVPs close 30 August – click to view your Invitation, and to view the RSVP/Booking Form.

All vehicles include capped price servicing, the balance of a 3 year factory warranty and low kilometres.

To get the best choice of these vehicles see your local dealer at Ian Weigh – find out more at www.iwm.com.au

Click here to find out more and book a table for this great night of Italian food and culture, with a 3 course banquet by their Italian Trained Executive Chef.

Other activities:

Starting early September-

• “Friday Lunch” from 11.30am, and
• Sunday “All you can Eat” Hot buffet breakfast (for $14.95 per adult $5.95 for children aged 4 plus $1.00 for each year to age 12.)

COMING SOON-

• Coffee and Cake- “ALL DAY COFFEE AND CAKE” (Come and try out fantastic imported premium blend!)
• Look out for our new “Functions Package”- perfect for your Christmas and New Year functions!

Minister Lawlor said the first grant of $122,500 would go to Capricorn Tourism to lead a project to develop a joint marketing strategy with Tourism Queensland, Bundaberg and North Burnett Tourism and Gladstone Area and Promotion Development Ltd to promote the Central Queensland and Southern Great Barrier Reef to New Zealanders.

Announcing the Queensland Tourism Network Grant Scheme funding, Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor said the grant would be used to develop a collaborative strategy to promote Central Queensland and the Southern Great Barrier Reef as a ‘new’ destination for New Zealanders.

“New Zealanders are Queensland’s largest international market and one of those with the highest number of repeat visitors,” Mr Lawlor said.

“By working together Capricorn Tourism, Bundaberg & North Burnett Tourism and Gladstone Area and Promotion Development Ltd have shown great initiative in seeking to bring new visitors to their regions and are to be congratulated.”

Member for Keppel Paul Hoolihan said Capricorn Tourism would also receive a $99,000 grant.

“This grant under the scheme is to implement a merger between the region’s three local tourism groups – the Central Highlands Tourism Organisation, Capricorn Coast Tourism Organisation and Rockhampton Tourist & Business Information into the larger regional tourism organisation.

“This is great news for the region because it means there will be a more collaborative effort in marketing the Capricorn Coast to tourists.”

Member for Rockhampton Robert Schwarten said Capricorn Tourism would also benefit from a $420,976 grant project led by Tourism Whitsundays.

“The Queensland Tourism Network Grant Scheme funding will involve eight regional tourism organisations working together to develop a website template that could be standardised across all destinations.

“The websites will be customised to ensure each destination’s individuality is maintained, but they will fall under a standard template which will make it easier for visitors to find information, particularly when travelling between destinations.”

The project is being led by Tourism Whitsundays and includes input from Fraser Coast and South Burnett Tourism, Mackay Tourism, Bundaberg and North Burnett Tourism, Capricorn Tourism, Gladstone Area Promotion and Development Ltd, Toowoomba and Golden West Regional Tourist Association and Southern Downs and Granite Belt Regional Tourism.

Mr Lawlor said the grant application process was announced in February this year with funding available to a range of not-for-profit tourism groups including regional and local tourism organisations, local government tourism departments and divisions, and tourism associations that are members of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council.

“The grants fell under two categories – funding for projects to enable tourism organisations to streamline their current operations – for example by merging with other tourism bodies; and for organisations to collaborate on new tourism marketing or product development initiatives that aren’t already part of their core operations.

“Capricorn Tourism submitted applications under both categories and I am happy to report was successful in each.”

Mr Lawlor said the Queensland Tourism Network Grant Scheme would allocate $3 million over the next three years as part of a commitment to help the state’s tourism organisations develop a stronger and more cohesive network.

“The aim of the grant scheme was to encourage tourism organisations to think outside their ‘business as usual’ squares,” he said.

“We wanted them to come to us with proposals that would help them build a stronger and more efficient tourism network in Queensland,” he said.

“The calibre of grant submissions was extremely high and I congratulate Capricorn Tourism on the success of their application.”

The grants are a result of the 2008 State Government review of Queensland’s tourism network which resulted in a series of reforms which included encouraging tourism organisations to collaborate in order to create a more efficient and streamlined industry.

This is sure to be a great event, and is your chance to meet likeminded members of the local business community, make new connections and enjoy a night out.

For catering purpose, please RSVP to Lucy Belz on 07 4927 2055, or lucybelz@capricorndevelopment.com.au.

Please click here to view more details.

The discussion revolved around the exploration and development of “Cleantech” in the region. During the workshop, it was clearly noted that Small and Medium Enterprise and industry will be the key players in any Cleantech regional initiative.

In the coming weeks, draft terms of reference will be created that will specify more clearly how ‘Cleatech CQ’ should be pursued by the CQ Carbon Network.

For more information about the “Beyond Carbon” Visioning Workshop, click here.

On Friday 27 August, Gladstone Regional Council will also be holding an Environmental Update and Visioning Session at CQUniversity’s Gladstone campus.

This session would be an opportunity for all concerned to share in the positive environmental initiatives, projects and partnerships which have been undertaken in the Gladstone Region during the last 12 months.

The Council also extends the invitation to participants to attend a planning session to be held on the same day. This facilitated session aims to evaluate past and present approaches to collaborative community involvement in regional environmental management.

The evaluation will use the Vision 2028 Report and Action Plan as a base framework and structure for the review process. Participants will be invited to discuss the current, nominated actions, any changes that need to be made and what structures should be developed to carry the revised set of actions forward.

To register your interest in attending either of these sessions, download a booking form.

To view photos from this visit, check out our corporate Facebook Page.

Famils like this recent trip help our Visitor Information Centre Staff and Volunteers stay up to date with tourism product, so they can give visitors to the Capricorn Region accurate information, and sell bookings for tours, attractions and accommodation operators.

Can’t think of the last time VIC staff and volunteers visited your product? Get in touch with the Visitor Information Centre Supervisor in your area:

Rockhampton – Michelle Pownall, 07 4921 2311, michellepownall@capricorntourism.com.au

Capricorn Coast – Janine Crute, 07 4939 4888, janinecrute@capricorntourism.com.au

Central Highlands – Nicole Travis, 07 4982 4142, nicoletravis@capricorntourism.com.au

For the full schedule please click here.