Thursday, August 24, 2023

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

Councillor Chat With Mayor Julie Hall

Wonderful to catch up with Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey in Bowen last week where he announced that $50 million has been allocated in the State Budget to future proof the Bowen Jetty.

A huge thank you to the Queensland Government and Minister Bailey for recognising the importance of the jetty to heritage, recreation, and tourism in Bowen.

Council looks forward to working with North Queensland Bulk Ports, who currently control and maintain the jetty, to explore a viable and sustainable solution going forward.

This funding now gives all stakeholders the opportunity to further investigate options for the jetty which will include extensive stakeholder and community consultation on planning and design and input into a business case that will deliver the best outcome for the community

I recently spent the week in Canberra attending the Australian Local Government Associations, National General Assembly.

Hosted by the ALGA, the annual event brings together the nation’s 537 local governments to share ideas to best support regional communities.

I just want to thank and acknowledge the following federal leaders who took the time to let me introduce myself and have a chat and listen to issues facing our region.

Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Madeleine King, Minister for Housing, the Minister for Homelessness and the Minister for Small Business Julie Collins MP, Minister for Regional Development and Local Government and Territories Kristy McBain MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Govern Catherine King, Honorary Milton Dick Speaker of the House of Representatives, our Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox, Shadow Local Government Minister Darren Chester and Trade and Tourism Ministers Deputy Chief of Staff Sarah Huy.

Local Government is on the front line of the people in our community. We are the ones who are in the trenches with our residents fighting for what our communities really need.

That is why it is so important that our big brothers in both our Federal and State Politicians take the time to listen to our Local Government representatives and their issues and needs.

Whitsunday Regional Council submitted two original strategic motions to the National Assembly, and both were carried.

Our first motion weas that this National General Assembly calls on the Australian Government to establish minimum road quality standards for the National Highway 1 to improve safety and to ensure accessibility is maintained throughout the nation especially during major weather events.

This motion was one I have been personally driving since January this year. It speaks to the road surface quality and flood immunity for our National Highway.

The second successful original motion was that this National General Assembly calls on the Australian Government to develop with State Governments a damage mitigation permit process so that flying fox species which have a Queensland Nature Conservation Act Status of "least concern" can be relocated from urban areas where they are creating a significant nuisance.

This motion was debated, and in my opening address I spoke to reassure other Australian Councils that WRC recognised the important role our flying foxes play in our delicate eco system and that this motion was not seeking to kill any bats.

In other news