From the Mayor's Desk

Dumaresq River Rest Area Wins Award

I start this column with a big shout out to the Dumaresq River Rest Area in Texas, which has just won the 'Best Grey Nomad Freedom Stay' category during the 2022 National Grey Nomad Awards, which took place recently at the Sunshine Coast.

Both Council and the community have invested significantly in growing the tourism sector in Texas over the past few years, and this has resulted in the Rest Area having a solid reputation as a great place to visit. The sentiment was reaffirmed in the form of this award. This acknowledgement is a fantastic accomplishment for Texas and the broader region.

Streetscape Reminder

Council has been progressively renewing the main streets and CBDs of our major towns and villages over recent years, with Inglewood and Texas the first off the block, major work is planned for Yelarbon this year, and community improvements are underway in Talwood.

The online survey regarding the concept designs for the CBD in Goondiwindi will close on Wednesday 8 March, with two community/business workshops left. If you haven’t already had your say, now is the perfect time.

Community workshops will be held at the Golden Age Centre on March 1 and 2 from 5.30-7pm.

A plan is critical for a project like this. The project will be rolled out over a number of years, as funding, both internal and preferably external, are identified and sourced. I encourage interested local residents to have their say.
 

Fire Danger Precaution

We all know Australia is a land of weather extremes and for that reason Council has not only been preparing our communities for flooding but, inevitably, the fires that follow extraordinary vegetation growth. We have seen a number of wildfires across our region recently, which local fire crews and volunteers have combatted.

With some more hot, dry days ahead as summer draws to a close, I encourage residents to take whatever steps possible to reduce fire risk, including trimming trees, mowing grass, and eliminating any flammable materials in the vicinity of their homes.

These measures all play a role in safeguarding our community and protecting our loved ones from the effects of fire.

The QFES is the response unit to call in a fire emergency by dialling 000. I recommend the QFES website to learn of any regional warnings or updates.

Yelarbon Fire Brigade

A few months ago, I reported on efforts to establish a Rural Fire Service in Yelarbon to provide first responder cover for the town and surrounds. This followed difficulties in recruiting people in the Auxiliary Fire Service in the town due to age, ongoing training and compliance requirements. I am pleased to report that approval has been given for the establishment of a Rural Fire Service Brigade, to be located at the existing main street building and resourced with an appropriate vehicle. There is already significant volunteer interest from the community.

Local Crime Update

At last week’s Ordinary Meeting Council resolved to request state member, James Lister MP, to co-ordinate a community meeting regarding community safety in Goondiwindi.

The community meeting will be held Wednesday 8 March, from 6 pm at the Goondiwindi Community Centre. Representatives from responsible state government agencies and police are expected to attend, as will Council.

Safety Advocate Meeting

Last week, Council's outdoor workforce collaborated with local businesses to listen to workplace safety advocate Dan Kennedy tell his family’s heart-wrenching story about his son, who was tragically killed in a workplace accident caused by hidden live wires in a roof cavity. Dan's experience reminds us all of the importance of electrical safety in general.

To end on a brighter note. Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of welcoming competitors and spectators from across Queensland and Interstate to the Inglewood Showgrounds for the inaugural Queensland Yard and Utility Trial. This was an opportunity for people to witness the skills of handlers and their working dogs as they showcased various scenarios in managing livestock.