Working together is key: whether it’s extending opportunities for local businesses or eradicating the Willows Cactus

As the new year picks up speed, there’s no sign of slowing down at Council and we’ve had a busy few weeks of developments right across the region. I’d like to bring your attention first of all to an exciting new development for Inglewood businesses. While the Inglewood Chamber of Commerce certainly was an incredibly successful organisation in its time, several local businesses had approached Council in recent years with concerns about the future. I’ve also personally spoken with multiple business owners in Inglewood about the need to work together to find a solution.

Last week, Council facilitated a meeting between those businesses and the Goondiwindi Chamber of Commerce. Council agreed to support whatever course of action those Inglewood businesses chose, and I am delighted to report that the decision was made for the Goondiwindi Chamber to include the Inglewood area and extend their services to Inglewood businesses from now on. The Goondiwindi Chamber will now look to organise networking opportunities for Inglewood businesses, and I am hopeful that this solution will work well going forward. With significant opportunities on the horizon such as Inland Rail, the Acciona wind farm and expanding horticulture, it’s imperative that we work together where possible to nurture success across the region as a whole.

Working together as a region will also certainly be key to facing an emerging biosecurity threat. Last Wednesday, Council proposed to declare the Willows (Cereus) Cactus as a pest species within our region. If not eradicated quickly, the species risks becoming the next Harrisia. More information will follow, meanwhile I urge all residents (rural landholders and town gardeners alike) to familiarise themselves with the cactus and to act now if it’s present on their property.

On Friday, I was in Inglewood for my regular open office hours and was also able to call in at the MacIntyre Sports Complex to see the upgrades recently completed as part of our region’s $1.14 million share of the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure grant. It’s certainly heartening to see these works breathe new life into community facilities across the region. I will be continuing to offer appointments in Inglewood and Texas on the fourth Friday and second Tuesday of the month respectively – residents should call 07 4671 7437 to make an appointment in either town.

Once again, I’d like to end this column with a quick mention of some of the many examples of innovation in the region, and how we’re preparing for the future. I was able to attend a Goondiwindi Region Innovation Network meeting recently, which included a tour of the Woods Group algae farm. It was wonderful to see this exciting new venture progressing well and I’m delighted that a brand new industry is being pioneered right here in the Goondiwindi region. Last week, Council decided to endorse Lanescape’s five-year masterplan, which will support them to progress their vision of a vibrant public art trail across Goondiwindi.

Finally, I’d like to extend a very warm congratulations to Lucy Walker and the team at the Terry White Chemmart Pharmacy in Goondiwindi on their commencement of a new trial to deliver medicines to customers using drones. This trial is a first for regional Australia and, if successful, will spare some residents trips of up to three hours to visit the pharmacy. It’s tremendously state-of-the-art and I commend Lucy and her team for their ambition and innovation.