Mayor's Column: Leaders in the Leader 23-10-2020
I’m writing this week’s column from the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) Annual Conference, where I’m representing our region. The LGAQ are an important advocacy body for local communities across Queensland, with a membership made up of the 77 local governments of Queensland.
It’s important our region is represented at the event. At the conference the membership votes on resolutions that form the basis of the association’s advocacy for the year. The process is particularly important this year; following the local government elections and with a state election only weeks away.
Each council gets two votes, and the Deputy Mayor and I are voting on behalf of Longreach Regional Council. Members also have the opportunity to propose motions, and Longreach Regional Council is proposing two - one advocating for consistency in the timing of payments for Financial Assistance Grants; and another calling for state funding of critical water security infrastructure. The motions are debated, sometimes amended, and then voted on by delegates at the conference.
One of the important discussions at the conference will be about the Bush Councils Compact, calling on state government to guarantee minimum standards of service delivery and infrastructure for rural and remote communities. There are also a number of other meetings that take place on the sidelines of the conference, such as RAPAD meetings, Western Queensland Alliance of Councils meetings and other regional bodies.
I’m joined at the conference this year not just by the CEO, Deputy Mayor and by first-term Councillors Hatch and Bignell – it’s a valuable opportunity for them to learn more about the workings of local government and connect with other councillors from around Queensland. My colleagues and I take our professional development seriously, and with this in mind we had a full day workshop in Ilfracombe last week. It was a chance for us to meet informally as a group and discuss matters of strategic importance for our development as elected members. We’ve committed to having another workshop in six months time.
By now our annual residential bulk rubbish collection is well underway. We started in Longreach earlier this week and Ilfracombe, Isisford, and Yaraka get their turn next week on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday respectively. You can find more information, including what can and can’t be collected, on our website.
Lastly, we’re calling for public comment on some proposed amendments to some of our Local Laws. The aim of the proposed amendments is to provide clear provisions relating to temporary dwellings, backyard fires, and the keeping of rats in our towns. There’s a comprehensive information pack, with everything you need to know (including the amendments themselves), available on our website or at any Council office. Then have your say by making a written submission before Monday 2nd November 2020.
Until next time, please don’t hesitate to contact Council directly on (07) 4658 4111 (24hrs), or email assist@longreach.qld.gov.au. You can find also find email and phone numbers for me and for all of my fellow Councillors on our website at longreach.qld.gov.au/elected-members.