Planning - and planting - for the future: working with our small communities and investing in infrastructure

Planning for the future is an integral part of any local council’s role. Good stewardship requires careful forethought to ensure the future success of the region, and it also requires consultation with the communities within that region.

Council has recently been working together with some of our smaller communities towards ‘master plans’ for their towns. It’s an opportunity for those residents to decide how they would like Council funds to be invested locally, to achieve the outcomes prioritised by the community. I was pleased to meet with both the Yelarbon Community Consultative Committee (CCC) and the Talwood CCC in the last fortnight as part of that work. The Talwood CCC are progressing well with their plans: they have now prioritised a number of projects, with a particular focus on improving the town’s attraction for visitors.

Yelarbon has also seen the completion of the first stage of a million-dollar project to upgrade the local freight network this fortnight, as Council invested a total of $1.064 million from the state government’s Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS) to upgrade nearly 5 km of Yelarbon-Keetah Road to road train standards. The upgrades will help to enhance the productivity of our local agricultural industry in particular, as well as leading to improved safety for local residents. Infrastructure is a big focus for this council, and it’s great to see the first stage of works completed and ready to serve our local community well into the long-term.

Finally, planning for the long-term was certainly the theme of the recent Native Tree Planting day at the Goondiwindi Natural Heritage and Water Park. Children from St Mary’s Parish School once again had the opportunity to get their hands dirty and play their part in ‘keeping Gundy green’ by planting native trees and shrubs in a new garden bed at the park. Thanks to Council’s parks and gardens crew who shared their knowledge with students on the day, and also to Southern Queensland Landscapes who spoke to the children about the importance of biodiversity, water conservation and planting native species for drought tolerance. A big thanks, too, to Tait Toyota for serving up the spectacular sausage sizzle.

Inglewood Council meeting

At the start of my mayoralty, I announced that Council would extend its Ordinary Meetings (OMs) out to the towns of Inglewood and Texas every six months on rotation. Last year, we held the first OM in Inglewood in 11 years, followed by the first Texas OM six months later in March 2021. This move is demonstrative of Council’s commitment to the region as a whole – not just Goondiwindi.

This month, we will continue the pattern with the next OM in Inglewood on Wednesday 22 September in the Civic Centre, followed by a community morning tea at 11 am. All residents are welcome and encouraged to attend – for catering purposes, RSVP to Debbie at 07 4652 0216 or DElliott@grc.qld.gov.au.

Inland Rail community consultation in Yelarbon and Inglewood

Inland Rail is undertaking community consultation in Yelarbon and Inglewood. They met with Yelarbon residents at the last YCCC meeting*, and will also hold a community meeting in Inglewood next Tuesday, 21 September. Council has strongly outlined its position that Inland Rail should provide its own external workers and appropriate housing, such as the workers’ camps currently proposed near Yelarbon and Inglewood, during the local construction phase. This position is based on local feedback: we do not want any additional pressure on our employment and housing markets, or to create a boom-and-bust scenario within our region. I encourage residents to participate in the consultation: it’s your chance to have your say in relation to this. *(Interested Yelarbon residents who missed the YCCC meeting should contact a YCCC member or Inland Rail directly for advice).

COVID-19 border bubble update:

My fellow councillors and I welcome the reinstation of a restricted version of the border bubble, including an expansion of the definition of ‘essential worker’ and greater certainty for students. Our state premiers have given clear warning that this could all change again with one case in our border region. As ever, our best protection continues to be a high vaccination rate to reduce the spread and impact of the virus, and to return to greater freedoms across the country. Our current target is now children aged 12+: we are fortunate to have access to a strong local vaccination program and I strongly encourage all parents to make the most of this.

Goondiwindi COVID-19 vaccination clinic

For ages 12 and over, specifically for school-aged children and/or their unvaccinated parents/carers.

• B Block, Goondiwindi Hospital
• 13-14 September, 8 am – 5 pm
• Collect parental/guardian consent forms from the clinic (B Block, Goondiwindi Hospital) or schools.
• Walk-ins only.
• Parking available at the Goondiwindi bowls club.

COVID-19 webinar:

Council is co-ordinating a community webinar about the ongoing COVID-19 situation in our border region this Thursday, 16 September at 3 pm. This is an opportunity to hear directly from the Office of the Chief Health Officer and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, among other state government representatives. More details to follow soon – the link for the webinar will be: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85790544636