First Texas meeting since 2008 highlights a Goondiwindi ‘Regional’ Council

Goondiwindi Regional Council held its first Ordinary Meeting in Texas in more than 12 years this morning, cementing an ongoing commitment to bring core decision-making to the wider Goondiwindi region. 

Members of the community joined the Mayor and councillors for morning tea at the Texas Memorial Hall after the meeting, where Mayor of the Goondiwindi region the Honourable Cr Lawrence Springborg AM also gave updates on several upcoming Council projects in Texas, including footpath upgrades, traffic island upgrades and a new Riverwalk pathway. 

The occasion marks only the second time a Council Ordinary Meeting has been held outside of Goondiwindi itself since June 2008, following Council’s first such meeting in Inglewood in September last year. Council will now continue to hold one Ordinary Meeting in Inglewood and Texas every six months on rotation for the remainder of the current term. 

Cr Springborg said the meeting and morning tea had been a chance to meet in-person with Texas residents and hear their views first-hand. 

“I think it was extremely important for Council to make that commitment to bring its Ordinary Meetings to towns outside of just Goondiwindi, and I think our first two in Texas and Inglewood have been very well-received,” the Mayor said. 

“I’d like to thank the Texas community for a really informative and productive session this morning, it was a great opportunity to have some really constructive conversations and meet in person with residents. It certainly was a wet drive out to Texas for some of our councillors and staff this morning, as I know the east of the region in particular has enjoyed, and in some cases endured, some very high rainfall total over the past two days.” 

The next Ordinary Meeting outside of Goondiwindi is scheduled for Wednesday 22 September and will be held in Inglewood, with meetings to alternate between Inglewood and Texas on a six-monthly basis. Council will advertise more details closer to the time, with all residents once again invited to attend. 

The Mayor and other councillors also work from the Inglewood Civic Centre and Texas Cultural Centre on a regular basis. Cr Springborg continues to hold office hours 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. He is usually available in Goondiwindi on Tuesdays, and appointments are also available in Talwood. 

“At more than 19,000 square kilometres, the Goondiwindi region is a big local government area and it’s important to have the views of the whole region represented, not just Goondiwindi town,” Cr Springborg said. “My fellow Councillors and I are proud to represent Goondiwindi Regional Council, with the emphasis on the ‘regional’. 

“A big part of that means getting out in the community and bringing Council decisions to the communities and the people who they affect – whether that’s through our Ordinary Meetings, regular office hours or Councillor road trips out to our more rural communities,” he said. 

“As anyone who’s been to the town can tell you, it’s always such a pleasure to visit Texas and I already look forward to our next meeting.”