Councillors attended the April General meeting and workshop this week in Mount Perry. Agenda items included the operational plan progress report for the third quarter, finance report, road maintenance program upgrade report, fraud and corruption prevention policy and procedures, as well as a few confidential reports. During the workshop, we considered the Gayndah Aerodrome, capital works projects for 2022/23, the long-term financial plan, fees and charges and sale of land for unpaid rates and charges. Online meeting details can be found on our website, along with minutes and agendas on our website.
I’d like to acknowledge the current staffing and resourcing challenges we are facing as an organisation. Our staff are working well while we face unprecedented circumstances with COVID, supply issues and human resources gaps. Many staff members are stepping up and taking on extra responsibilities and challenges to their normal roles. As a result of these challenges, Councillors are aware that some projects might not be able to proceed and are currently reviewing potential carry over and anticipated delays in our projects.
You might have noticed the new fence around our Biggenden Waste Facility. The fence was damaged because of the recent flooding event. Council is required to have secure fencing at these facilities for environmental and safety reasons. Fences help to reduce litter spread and keep our community safe when the site is unmanned. A local contractor completed this work and over the next few months we will continue to upgrade the fences at other facilities.
On 15 March 2022, the Premier and Minister for the Olympics announced the Office of the Inspector-General of Emergency Management will undertake a review of the South East Queensland Rainfall and Flooding Event in February-March 2022. The review will address the timing and effectiveness of Emergency Alerts that were issued to warn the general community of the flooding event and the effectiveness of cooperation between all agencies engaged in response operations. Community forums to inform the review into the preparedness and response efforts during the event are being held across affected Local Government Areas during April and May. The first forum for the state was held in Dallarnil on Wednesday night where the community had the opportunity to tell their story and discuss the support they have received before during and after the event.
The State Emergency Service (SES) is a volunteer-based organisation empowering people to help themselves and others in times of emergency and disaster. SES recruitment drives are well underway throughout the region, with SES volunteers joining Council and BIEDO at the local shows to introduce community members to what it looks like to be a SES Volunteer. In addition to their presence at the shows, Monto and Mundubbera SES crews are hosting information days on 14 and 21 May 2022, for details please see our website. SES volunteers are ‘ordinary people doing extraordinary things’. Volunteering with the SES is a challenging and rewarding way to give back to your community.
Yesterday, I had the privledge of witnessing the Gayndah Men’s Shed unveil and open a new section of their headquarters. The opening was well represented by community members. I believe that Men’s Sheds are important organisations to have in our region and I encourage members of the public to pop over to the Gayndah Men’s shed and have a look at some of the handcrafted items that they have for sale. To connect with a Men’s Shed in your area visit www.mensshed.org/find-a-shed
Shed Members pictured with Mr Ken O’Dowd and Mayor Les Hotz at the opening of the new section of the Gayndah Men’s Shed on Monday, 30 April 2022.
Our Civil Works team are continuing to work across the region on different projects including maintenance grading, repairs and resealing on the following roads:
- Rocky Creek Rd
- Telemark Rd
- Calrossie Rd
- Longs Rd
- Mountain View Rd
- Telebang Rd
- Rifle Range Rd
- Swindle Creek Rd
- Beeron Rd
- Lovedays Rd
With Biggenden Show being postponed, our final show for this season will be Mundubbera, who’s events kick off on Friday, 6 May. Be sure to say g’day if you spot myself or my fellow Councillor’s out and about this weekend.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch with me or your divisional councillor if you would like to address any concerns. Our contact details can be found on Council’s website www.northburnett.qld.gov.au/meet-your-councillors
Media Contact
1300 696 272 | media@northburnett.qld.gov.au