From the Mayor's Desk

The Budget for 2023/24

At last week’s Ordinary Council meeting, I presented the budget address for this financial year in front of my fellow Councillors and Council officers. The budget reflects Council’s commitment to addressing the needs of all our communities and focuses on the provision of core Council responsibilities. Our Council is financially sustainable in all areas of operations, financial liabilities, and asset sustainability. We remain debt free, with the 2023-24 budget projecting our overall cash position to improve slightly on the current year with an average rate increase kept significantly below the annual national inflation rate. We also continue to secure external grant funds and manage costs to maintain a stable and viable Council for the future.

Meditrans Volunteer Lunch

I recently attended the Meditrans Volunteer lunch, and I want to express my appreciation for the remarkable dedication of the 16 volunteers who serve our region. Their selfless efforts have an impact on the lives of many residents as they provide transportation three-to-four-times a week to specialist appointments in Toowoomba, that are not readily available in the Goondiwindi region. This essential service also operates through Yelarbon and Inglewood and is an outstanding example of a community-driven solution.

During the event, I had several conversations with the volunteers who shared that the most fulfilling aspect of their work was the ability to assist the community and the gratitude expressed by the clients. Meditrans constantly seeks additional volunteers, so if you can spare even one day a month, I encourage you to reach out to Sue Salisbury at 0436 668 763. I commend all the volunteers and businesses involved in Meditrans. Their commitment is truly commendable, and they play a vital role in ensuring the well-being of the community.

This program would not be possible without the volunteers, Darling Downs and West Moreton Primary Health Network, Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service and numerous local sponsors including:- Tait Toyota for the generous donation of a vehicle; Tait Ford also kindly donate the cost of regular services; Goondiwindi Tyre Service (GTS) generously assist with the maintenance of tyres and wheel alignments; and The Larder kindly donate coffee for the volunteer drivers.

Apex Changeover Dinner

It was my pleasure to attend the Apex changeover dinner last Saturday evening. Our local Apex Club provide an outstanding service for the community, whether it’s through volunteering to assist with selling raffle tickets, supporting events like Lanescape or through sausage sizzles to raise money for organisations such as Dementia Australia. I’d like to thank and congratulate them for all that they do for our community - they’re committed to advancing our community. During the evening, outgoing president Luke Skele handed the reigns of leadership to Jess Brinkmann.

Festival of Aeromodelling at Inglewood

I also look forward to attending the Australian Large Scale Models (ALSM) Club fly-in event at Inglewood Aerodrome along with hundreds of keen aviators from across the nation. It is the first event since the new Council and ALSM club Memorandum of Understanding was signed in May and the Club have already begun constructing an undercover structure at the west side of the apron and a clubhouse east of the carpark. Although the festival is not a public event, it is a national one, which provides a significant boost to the economy of the Inglewood community.