Mayor's Column - Longreach Leader 26 March 2021
This edition of the Mayor's Column appeared in the Longreach Leader on Friday 26 March 2021.
There’s never a dull moment in the life of our communities, and things really seem to be picking up around the region these days. I’d like to start this fortnight’s column with a quick thank you to all of our engineers, staff, and contractors working on the permanent repairs to the Picnic Point weir. They did a great job getting the initial concrete pour done quickly, and we were ready to proceed with the next stage of concreting, but the river beat us to it. Our team will start work again once the fresh in the river eases.
Council had its first Budget workshop last week in preparation for the FY2021/2022 budget. We usually have about four workshops prior to adopting the Budget in a special meeting. That meeting is currently scheduled for 29 June. Work started in December last year for the upcoming budget; it’s a big and complex process that we take very seriously.
Council also had its March ordinary meeting in Isisford last week. I’d like to thank the members of the community that came along for morning tea, and those few that stayed on and observed some of the meeting. It was good to see some interest in our decision making process. It’s not often we have visitors in the gallery, despite all our meetings being open to the public.
It was our pleasure to host a Tourism and Events Queensland Industry Round Table in Longreach last week with Minister Stirling Hinchliffe. We were joined by Tourism and Events Queensland CEO, Leanne Coddington, and CEO of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, Daniel Gschwind, plus Denise Brown, CEO of the Outback Queensland Tourism Association. Joining them were myself and Mayor Sean Dillon from Barcaldine, Mayor Andrew Martin from Blackall, and industry delegates from around the region including Blackall, Barcaldine, and Winton. It was a valuable opportunity to brief the Minister and departmental chiefs on important regional matters.
While here, the Minister was also able to attend the Red & White Gala at the Qantas Founders Museum. At the gala His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland, officially opened the new Airpark Roof and Luminescent Longreach Show. The event was originally scheduled for this time last year but of course had to be postponed. It was a great occasion and really showcased the best of our region to all the visiting dignitaries. Congratulations to everyone at the Qantas Founders Museum for hosting such a great celebration.
His Excellency also held a discrete civic reception the next morning, to conduct a couple of investiture ceremonies and celebrate the launch of a new book about the role of the Queensland Governor. Mrs Daphne Rich received an Order of Australia medal in recognition of her work with the Isolated Children and Parents Association. Mr John Waerea received a bravery medal following a dramatic rescue in 2018 that he was involved in. Congratulations to them both.
It was likely the last visit for His Excellency during his tenure as Governor. His Excellency has a soft spot for our community, due in part to the years he spent attending Longreach State School during his childhood. Longreach is fortunate to have been visited by the Governor five times during his tenure.
Before I sign off, just a reminder that Rates are due today, Friday 26 March. Make sure you get your 10% discount by paying before close-of-business today. You can find out more about payment options and even pay online by visiting longreach.qld.gov.au/rates.
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.