Mayor’s message

2021/22 was another challenging year where we continued working towards our strategic goals through rising costs and the continued impacts of the global pandemic.

Kapu goeyga nithamunka mura, kulay kidh ngay koeyma eso a apapudhi ngoelmun koey Awgadh inab kayne goeyga gasaman ngay lak gudwoeydhika mura Zenadth Kes baradhawraw mabaygal, kuyku mabaygal, a koey mabaygal, kaypaypa kulay, kayb goegya a soeypa ngapa bungal. I acknowledge Papa God, Traditional Owners, Elders and Community Leaders throughout our region. I also acknowledge all community members of the five Nations we serve throughout Zenadth Kes - from where the sun rises on Mer in the East to where it sets on Boigu in the West. I acknowledge all First Nations people throughout Australia and recognise our shared connection to culture, kustom, and belief systems that span thousands of years. Continued challenges Council continues to refine the strategic direction and vision for our organisation and region while working through various challenges. There are still issues to resolve following the amalgamation of Council in 2008, such as adequate funding and resources for the region, and limited opportunity to generate own-source revenue. Despite the impacts of COVID-19 on our region this year, we have been able to continue to deliver essential infrastructure within budget and on time. Our commitment to delivering and maintaining quality services extends to ensuring our community members have adequate access to these. I acknowledge the consistent efforts of our Elected Members and Council employees, who work tirelessly to improve the liveability of our region. One

As a Council, we are working towards redefining our identity and controlling our narrative, a journey that started with the first Councillors Conference in 1937. We are looking inwards to realise the strength and potential we have as an organisation and a region. We should be proud of what we have accomplished and celebrate our achievements.

This year we have reaffirmed and restructured our values to vocalise that we are one Council, one organisation, and one region. We want to ensure that we celebrate and promote unity and cohesiveness while recognising the complexities we face by aligning our strategic vision to our operational challenges. Future aspirations We recognise the changing political landscape and welcome the opportunity to renegotiate old agreements to ensure the best opportunities for our region. Throughout the year, we advocated for our communities with State and Federal members, making it clear, that we strive to be the regional partner of choice for both state and federal governments in the delivery of services and infrastructure.

Our Council supports the Uluru Statement of the Heart and the Path to Treaty and will work closely with all levels of government to ensure the voice of our region is heard. We believe this is an opportune time to discuss our strategic and operational challenges to achieve our long-term aspirational goals and ensure the longevity of our region. I look forward to working alongside our newly appointed Chief Executive Officer, James William, the Elected Members and our employees to continue the delivery of our Bisnis Plan/ Corporate Plan 2020-2025. We will continue to partner with all our stakeholders to achieve our vision of an autonomous, prosperous, and sustainable Council and communities

Koeyma eso, au esoau to you all. God bless.

Phillemon Mosby Mayor