I was back on the road this week folks, first flying to Winton and then driving 700km to Charleville. Accompanied by our new Head of Advocacy Alison Smith , Media Executive Sarah Vogler, Bush Councils Compact Consultant Michael Prain, and Peak Service dynamo Jessica Jones. We met with our member councils along the way – Winton, Longreach, Barcaldine, Blackall-Tambo, and Murweh.
We love heading west and spending quality time listening to our members. They are salt of the earth, quintessential Australians who teach us a lot about surviving and thriving despite regular hardship and the challenges of ensuring their communities have safe roads, regular transport, and access to the essential services they need.
During this week’s trip, we were able to talk in great detail to our remote members about the ins and outs of the Bush Councils Compact. We were able to lay to rest some self-serving myths being peddled by a few people, and to listen intently to the genuine concerns and aspirations our member councils have for a better-connected future to State Government decision making that affects them. We also learned more about the challenges remote communities have in providing adequate housing, childcare, and a range of health and allied services.
Fortuitously, we caught up with local Federal MP and Minister David Littleproud at the opening of a new federally-funded Reverse Osmosis plant at Ilfracombe. This plant guarantees the small town will have a reliable and safe water supply for decades to come. Good on the Morrison Government for funding it.
To top off the trip we watched Queensland win the 2020 State of Origin decider while staying overnight in Barcaldine - a fantastic unforgettable experience – and then we enjoyed a lovely shower of rain in Charleville Thursday afternoon. Charleville, aka Kurtville, was still in a state of euphoria after one of its most famous exports, Kurt Capewell, starred for the Maroons. His mum Lyn is a former Deputy Mayor of the Murweh Shire and stepsister of famous racehorse trainer Peter Moody.
New PE members elected unopposed
Congratulations to our two newest LGAQ Policy Executive Members, Mayor Peter Flannery (Moreton Bay Regional Council), and Mayor Peter Scott (Cook Shire Council), who were elected unopposed to fill two casual vacancies on your Policy Executive.
LGW to hold inaugural Workplace Health and Safety Conference in February
The Inaugural LGW Workplace Health and Safety Conference will be held in Brisbane from February 10 to 12. Critical issues like compliance and audit strategy, safety culture and incident investigation will be on the agenda as will accredited training sessions by Safety Australia, as well as a mock trial and debrief on a safety incident. Registrations are now open. Further details including full program and registration can be found here.
Lock in December 2
Finally, Mayors and CEOs lock in the evening of December 2 for a state civic reception at Parliament House hosted in your honour by our new Minister, Deputy Premier the Hon Steven Miles.