From the Mayor's Desk - 22 November 2021

‘Smart but simple’ – Council’s innovative tech helps residents impacted by state border restrictions

I was pleased to announce last week that the Queensland Police Service (QPS) has granted permission for Council’s award-winning ‘e-gate’ border crossings to get up and running again, in line with state government border restrictions.

All five e-gate crossings became operational last week (note rising river water will impact some crossings this week).  The rules for entry via e-gates are exactly the same as for entry into Queensland via a manned police checkpoint, with the additional requirement that applicants must show a demonstrable need to use the nominated e-gate for their day-to-day lives or business operations. QPS approval may take up to 5 business days, so I encourage all eligible residents to plan ahead and get their applications in now:https://www.grc.qld.gov.au/downloads/file/2360/e-gate-border-crossing-application-form

It’s an excellent outcome - and one that was many weeks of work and advocacy in the making. While I share the frustration that many residents feel about the current situation with Moree Plains Shire travel, I must repeat that Council does not decide state border restrictions. The Queensland Government determines state border restrictions, which are enforced by the QPS. Council then works to provide the infrastructure and services necessary to assist the QPS in their operations, and do what we can to make it easier for our community, including our cross border community.

Predicting the weather is fraught, predicting floods before it has rained, even more so

Now, you never know how much rain you’re going to get until it’s in the gauge - and that certainly proved true this fortnight. Ironically, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) had planned on being in Texas the week of their recent rain and flood warnings, the now postponed visit was to discuss improvements to local river gauges after the Easter floods highlighted issues around flood warnings and river height data. 

I’m very pleased the predicted flooding didn’t occur, and we will wait and see what rain this week brings. Many residents have a great deal of local knowledge and experience, and are able to read the situation to predict how a particular rainfall event may unfold. Many of us around Inglewood, for example, were not surprised the predicted flood levels never eventuated. However, as a Council, we have an obligation to communicate BoM warnings to our community, especially as people may be new to the area or not have experienced a local flood before.

Please don’t become blasé in the future. We must be alert and prepared whenever a weather warning is issued – because one of these days what we have been preparing for, will actually happen, and maybe sooner rather than later.

Border Towns Crime Prevention Committee - advocacy

On behalf of the Border Towns Crime Prevention Committee, I recently wrote to the Queensland Government outlining our support for the establishment of a 24-hour local police station in Goondiwindi, and for better cross-border collaboration between state authorities. The committee’s focus remains on long-term solutions and alleviating the cross-border challenges facing local communities, businesses, organisations and authorities.

Investing in the future; reflecting on the past

I was delighted to see the Goondiwindi pool open for summer last week, after more than $3 million in upgrades over the off-season. This is a major investment in a wonderful community asset that has already served our region for nearly 60 years - and these upgrades mean we can continue to enjoy it for decades to come.

Finally, I was proud to attend the Remembrance Day memorial service at the Goondiwindi Town Park this fortnight. Every year, at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, we honour the men and women who served in conflict. We reflect upon the horrors of war, and give thanks for the sacrifices made on the battlefield for a better future. This year, on the 103rd anniversary of the end of the First World War in 1918, it’s also an opportunity for many of us to remember the loved ones lost in conflict. Lest We Forget.