Council General Meeting 25 October 2023
Next Wednesday 25 October 2023, Council’s General Meeting will held be in Biggenden, starting at 9.00am. Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting in person, or online via Teams. To join us online, the link can be found on the Council Meetings page of our website.
Following the General Meeting a Public Information Session will be held in the Biggenden Memorial Hall from 12.00pm to 1.00pm with the Mayor and Councillors. Bring your ideas and questions and take the opportunity to share what is important to you and your community.
Local Government (Councillor Conduct) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023
On Monday 16 October 2023, Councillor Giddins and I attended the Public Hearing for Local Government (Councillor Conduct) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 held in Gladstone. The public hearing was well attended with 50 attendees either speaking to the hearing or observing. The amended Bill proposes to implement certain recommendations from the Committee’s Report Number 28, ‘Inquiry into the Independent Assessor and councillor conduct complaints system’. Among other matters, the Bill aims to:
- make further changes to the councillor conduct complaints system, including limiting the system’s application in relation to former councillors to those persons suspected of corrupt conduct, and
- further clarify and enhance the councillor conflict of interest requirements.
Roads off Alignment Webinar
Councillors Dingle, Giddins and Mesner, relevant Council staff, and I attended the Roads off Alignment Webinar hosted by the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) on Thursday 12 October 2023. Roads off alignment describes the situation where a public road, or part of a public road, is constructed outside of the land dedicated as a road. Uncertainty and confusion can arise over the respective responsibilities of local government and property owners/lessees. The LGAQ and the Department of Resources have developed an easy-to-use assessment tool and guidelines for roads off alignment issues. The informative session worked through the guidelines and the developed flow chart tool, including steps for identifying low-cost resolutions to roads off alignment issues.
Australia Day Nominations Open
It’s time to recognise our Community Heroes. The North Burnett Australia Day Awards recognise extraordinary citizens and organisations who have contributed to serving our community and region.
Nominations are open now for the 2024 North Burnett Australia Day Awards! If you know of a person or community group who has made a difference, say thank you and nominate them today for a North Burnett Australia Day Award.
To lodge a nomination online, visit https://northburnett.qld.gov.au/australia-day-awards-and-nominations. Nominations are open until Monday 13 November 2023. If you require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Council on 1300 696 272.
Bundaberg and Burnett Regional Water Assessment Update – Public Consultation
Sunwater have recently released the draft Bundaberg and Burnett Regional Water Assessment (BBRWA) and will be providing an opportunity to local community members to have their say on the proposed recommendations. The draft can be viewed on the Sunwater website https://sunwater.mysocialpinpoint.com.au/bbrwa.
The planned public consultation sessions being held within our region on the below dates, time and locations.
- Gayndah Drop-in Session – Tuesday 24 October 2023, 11.00am – 2.00pm at Golden Orange Hotel Conference Room (3-5 Maltby Place, Gayndah)
- Mundubbera Drop-in Session – Wednesday 25 October 2023, 9.00am – 12.00pm at North Burnett Community Service Meeting Room (69 Stuart-Russell Street, Mundubbera)
Alternatively, online sessions are available within the Sunwater link above. For further information, please contact Prue Leng (Stakeholder Relations Advisor) on 0400 710 547 or prue.leng@sunwater.com.au
Mental Health Awareness Day – Monto State High School
On Wednesday 11 October 2023, I attended Mental Health Awareness Day hosted by Monto State High School. The day consisted of guest speakers and a BBQ lunch for the students, speakers and guests. The day was organised to bring awareness to Mental Health. It was great to see the school get involved and promote individual and community mental health and wellbeing, raise awareness of mental illnesses and reduce stigma and discrimination. Mental Health Week was held from 7 to 15 October 2023 and the theme was “Awareness, Belonging, Connection”. One in five Australians experience mental illness each year and almost half of all people will experience a mental illness at some time in their lifetime. If you need additional support, contact Lifeline (13 11 14), Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467), Beyond Blue (1300 224 636) or visit https://www.qldmentalhealthweek.org.au/find-help/ for additional contacts.
Biggenden’s Big Weekend 13-15 October 2023
Biggenden celebrated the bounty of Biggenden and district by honouring the work, tenacity and vision of all the early settlers over an action filled weekend. On the Friday night, 13 October 2023 I attended the “Wall of Fame” book launch and supper at Degilbo Hall. A Theatre Restaurant was held in the Biggenden Memorial Hall and many more events took place over the weekend including a guided climb of Mount Walsh, Street Markets, Museum open day, and bus tour. Well done to the Biggenden Chamber of Commerce and Industry in preparing a wonderful weekend for the community and visitors to experience.
Civil Works
Maintenance Schedule for commencing week 16 October 2023 – weather permitting:
- Maintenance Grading Zone 1 – Dooloo Tops Road
- Maintenance Grading Zone 3 – Cooks Road
- Maintenance Grading Zone 4 – Kalliwa Road to Currajong Road
- Maintenance Grading Zone 5 – Rockybar Road
- Maintenance Grading Zone 8 – A Creek Road
- Maintenance Grading Zone 9 – National Park Road, Biggenden to Farrells Road
- Construction Crew North – North Branch Road, Mt Perry – Rain Event Repairs
- Construction Crew South – Gayndah Mt Perry Road – Formation Grade Gravel Resheet
- Construction Crew Mun – REPA 22 February Flood – Rifle Range Road to Boyd Road
Updates are also available on our website northburnett.qld.gov.au/future-road-works/
As always, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me directly on 0458 696 272, or cr.les.hotz@northburnett.qld.gov.au or your Divisional Councillor, if you would like to address any concerns.
Our contact details can be found on Council’s website: northburnett.qld.gov.au/meet-your-councillors.