2 minute read
Report from the Mayor
The rapidly changing economic picture for the nation and its impact on costs of living are still very much the key influencers of council’s outlook and continuing performance.
Effects from the changes in COVID-related work practices and supply chains have also influenced our capacity and ability to deliver services and capital projects.
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Our budgets have contingencies for significantly higher inflation that is both difficult to predict and erratic in nature. Rates this year increased at the lower end of the spectrum when compared to other local governments, and our focus remained on providing value for our region’s communities.
Importantly, we are a region of opportunity, and it is critical that our organisation continues to deliver the promises we make and the expectations of the Central Highlands.
This year saw council adopt its new corporate plan under CEO Sharon Houlihan, within the first 6 months of her arrival. New management brings with it great perspective and awareness and our plan builds on our strengths, recognises our key challenges and is destination-focused.
Council business units have undergone significant investment to make sure our saleyards offer additional service capacity and our airport grows its passenger numbers. These assets are vital enablers to key industries, creating enterprise and critical access respectively.
2022 was an election year and we saw a change of the federal government in May. Our region was an ‘active’ part of the election process with our local government area being part of the notionally ‘in play’ Flynn electorate. There were some significant announcements related to water supply for the CQ Inland Port and the Queensland Beef Corridors road network. We are eagerly waiting for those projects to be confirmed by the new Labor government. We farewelled Ken O’Dowd as the Member for Flynn after 12 years in the role and had the opportunity to thank him for his significant representation of the people of the Central Highlands. Over that time, his government supported many key projects including the new Blackwater Aquatic Centre, CQ Inland Port and Roads of Strategic Importance (ROSI) funding for Springsure-Tambo Road – to name but a few.
Despite the most recent Queensland Grants Commission review resulting in a reduction of Central Highlands’ financial assistance grants, we have been advised of indexation that may offset those losses. Grants are an important component of our financial planning and budgeting, and as a council we are perpetually advocating for a more equitable share for the Central Highlands.
Many great community assets were opened this year. Minister Stirling Hinchliffe and Assistant Minister Nikki Boyd officiated events at the Blackwater Skate Park and the Emerald Airport extension. These are great projects and we thank the Queensland Government for funding with us.
Each year our council continues its drive to make the Central Highlands and all of its communities as liveable as they can be – not only for those who call it home, but for those many others we want to come here and share in the good things we have.
We have good plans, a great workforce and an even greater commitment to get our work done.
