From the Mayor's Desk - 1 October 2024

Published on 01 October 2024

This week only – your chance to address local phone and internet issues

Council is coordinating forums across the region this week and we want to invite any and all residents affected by phone and internet issues in our region to join us. This is a rare and valuable opportunity to have our challenges heard directly by Telstra, the NBN and the Regional Tech Hub. The visiting specialists are keen to listen to challenges on a regional scale, but also to address any residents’ individual connectivity concerns.

Having functioning telecommunications – particularly voice service - is simply essential for accessibility, safety and business needs. It's been a lot of work to coordinate getting the right people all in one room together, now it’s up to residents to take part to make sure we get our voices heard directly by those who can help. No registration needed, just turn up:

Wednesday, 2nd October

Inglewood Civic Centre – 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Yelarbon Hall – 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm (Drop-in session)
Goondiwindi Library – 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Thursday, 3rd October

Goondiwindi Cinema – 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Texas Memorial Hall – 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Texas Abuzz with Country Music Festival Goers

Texas was abuzz with the sounds of country music this past weekend as the Texas Country Music Festival returned for another successful event. Texas Queensland Inc. once again outdid themselves. From the lively walk-up sessions to the vibrant twilight markets and the outstanding mainstage performances, there was something for everyone. The festival's family-friendly atmosphere made it a perfect outing for all ages.

The event significantly boosted local tourism, attracting visitors from far and wide. There was overwhelming positive feedback from attendees, who not only praised the well-organised event but also the clean, tidy, and welcoming Texas township.

A huge thank you to all the volunteers, local businesses, and community members who contributed to making the festival a success. Your dedication and hard work are an example of what makes this region Regional Australia at its best.

QRA Chief Executive Officer Visits Goondiwindi

Last week, I welcomed Major General Jake Ellwood (retired), the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) Chief Executive Officer, to our region. Major General Ellwood's visit was an opportunity to discuss flood mitigation strategies, and the preparedness initiatives Council has been implementing.

During his visit, a key focus of the discussions was the flood modelling that Council has been undertaking for Goondiwindi and Inglewood, which will inform future planning and decision-making. Council also briefed Major General Ellwood on the significant works undertaken since the last floods, including the construction of a new Inglewood assembly point and improvements to infrastructure. Additionally, Council updated him on plans to further strengthen the Goondiwindi levee bank, which has protected the town for nearly 70 years. I thank Major General Ellwood for visiting the region to gain a firsthand understanding of the challenges and the QRA's ongoing support in preparedness activities.

Council Seeks Community Input: Expression of Interest Open for the Future Use of Inglewood Recreation Centre

Council has opened an expression of interest process, inviting businesses, individuals or community groups to propose alternate uses for the Inglewood Recreation Centre. Council is encouraging interested parties to share their ideas for new possibilities for the site. This could be someone interested in purchasing or leasing the site, with suggestions such as storage facilities, retail spaces, or commercial offices flagged as opportunities.

The Inglewood Recreation Centre, once a bustling hub for community activities, sustained damage during the 2021 floods and subsequent rains. While the Centre served the community for decades with a variety of events, other venues such as the Inglewood Civic Centre, Macintyre Sports Complex, Bowls Club, and Golf Club now offer space for local activities. Restoring the Recreation Centre to current building standards, including repairs and addressing issues like bird nesting, would cost an estimated $890,000. Given the current underutilisation of community spaces in Inglewood, residents at the recent community consultation forums in Inglewood agreed that restoring the Inglewood Recreation Centre is not a viable option and we needed to find a commercial or other alternative. This complements the relocation of the gym facilities to the Macintyre Sports Complex, to create a central sporting hub for the community.

A New Era at Coolmunda Dam

I had the pleasure of visiting Coolmunda Dam caravan park recently to meet the new owner/lessee. Council has extended its unique operating arrangement, whereby the private caravan park owners also assume the lease to undertake the management responsibility of the waterfront dam camping operations. Coolmunda Dam is one of the true tourism destinations in our region where visitors pack up from home for a weekend or longer, purely to enjoy the dam activities, before returning home. It is a significant tourism and community asset and contributor to our local economy. Meeting the new owner/lessee was a fantastic opportunity to learn about their plans for this popular tourist destination and discuss how we can collaborate to attract more visitors to Inglewood and the surrounding region.

The new owner/lessee bring a genuine passion and enthusiasm for creating a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere for visitors. One of the things that stood out to me was their commitment to working with other local businesses to attract people to the region. On behalf of Council, we look forward to working with the new owner/lessee as they look to make a significant contribution to our local tourism industry.

A Thriving Hub of Innovation

I want to thank the Goondiwindi Region Innovation Network (GRIN) for organising recent workshops and networking opportunities. I was particularly impressed by local individuals and businesses interested in offering their time, expertise, and financial resources to support the next generation of entrepreneurs and community projects. Their belief in our region's future is a testament to the strong sense of community in the Goondiwindi Region. As I look ahead, there is strong confidence that the Goondiwindi Region will continue to be a thriving hub of innovation and growth. With the support of local groups like GRIN, we are well-positioned to capitalise on the significant opportunities.