Mayor’s Column: Longreach Leader - 15 March 2021
Firstly, a big thanks to everyone who came out to support Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday in Longreach and Ilfracombe. We also had great support from girl guides and scouts. Together we collected a full truck-load of litter and rubbish from our regions roads. Thank you everyone for your efforts.
Many people have been asking me about the damaged side weir on the Thomson River. It’s important to note that there is no threat to the Longreach town water supply. Even if the damaged weir was completely missing we would anticipate a 0.7M drop in river levels. That would still leave the river well above the trigger height for level 2 water restrictions.
Importantly, we’ve closed the valve at the Fairmont Weir (or the top weir as it’s sometimes called) so that we’re storing as much water as possible upstream. That means we can pump it back over and fill the main storage up again once repairs are completed. This is what we mean when we say there’s no threat to our water supply.
The main thing is getting the right conditions, weather-wise, to undertake the permanent repairs. We need the river to subside a bit before we can start. Our team are working closely with the Bureau of Meteorology to work out the next available weather window.
Time is running out for people to have their say on the draft Thomson River Master Plan. The public comment period ends 5pm Monday 15 March. You can view the information video, download the document, and submit your feedback all in the one place on our website by visiting longreach.qld.gov.au/riverplan.
We want as much feedback as we can get. The plan is based on community feedback, and we want to know what everyone thinks. We’ve already had follow up stakeholder engagement with local business, land management, and indigenous groups.
The most important thing from my point of view is that the plan is for locals first. We’re trying to create something that locals will want to use – all the economic and commercial outcomes will hinge on that. In my view, if we successfully create the precinct as a beautiful backyard for our community, then all of the other benefits will flow.
It’s all very exciting and we’re committed to realising the vision, but we won’t go it alone. Council will use the plan to secure grant funding and even private investment over the next 10 to 30 years of development.
Before I go, it’s worth reminding everyone that rates notices have been issued and you should have received them by now. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Council immediately if you haven’t received yours yet. Make sure you qualify for your 10% discount by paying before 26 March – you can pay online by visiting longreach.qld.gov.au/rates, and that’s also where you can find out about applying for a payment plan.
Until next time, if you want to know anything at all, contact Council directly on (07) 4658 4111 (24hrs), or email assist@longreach.qld.gov.au. You can also find email and direct phone numbers for me and each of my fellow Councillors on our website at longreach.qld.gov.au/elected-members.