the May CEO Update here

IX 76661
From the CEO’s Desk
The May Ordinary Meeting of Council was held on
Tuesday 12 May 2015.
We look forward to working closely with Sophie over
the next two years.
Council receives significant annual funding through the
Financial Assistance Grant provided by the Federal
Government. This funding is distributed annually to 77
local governing bodies within Queensland.
A request to place an additional hangar at the Quilpie
Airport has been submitted to Council. Council agreed
to the request and a permit to occupy over the
relevant area will be issued should the proposal go
ahead.
The two separately identified components to the
Financial Assistance Grant, the General Purpose Grant
and the Identified Road Grant are untied which means
councils are able to use these funds for any general
council activity.
Flood damage works across the Shire continues. At the
meeting Council awarded a number of contracts for
works along the following roads:
Old Thargomindah Road
SC & KG Bowen
Durham Downs Road
APV Contracting
Pinkilla Road
Adavale Plant Hire
Wallyah Road
Adavale Plant Hire
Regleigh Road
APV Contracting
Council endorsed the position of the ALGA and the
LGAQ and has written to Federal Member, Hon Bruce
Scott MP requesting his support in this issue.
Mt Howitt Road
APV Contracting
Kiandra Road
SC & KG Bowen
Construction of the new Eromanga Natural History
Museum is now complete. Council is currently calling
for suggestions for the naming of the new access road
to the museum. At the meeting Council also resolved
to install a grid and undertake associated fencing
works on the new road.
Construction of the new Council Depot should
commence in the next couple of months. Due to the
significant building process Council resolved to engage
Brandon and Associates to project manage the works.
The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA)
and the Local Government Association of Queensland
(LGAQ) have written to Council seeking support for
advocacy to have the Federal Government reverse the
decision to freeze the indexation of the Financial
Assistance Grants.
Council has received a proposal from Local
Government Infrastructure Services (LGIS) to
undertake a pre-feasibility study for electrical power
generation in Quilpie using a geothermal plant for
cooling water and electrical power generation.
While Council decided not to proceed with this
proposal it has resolved to investigate solar power
options for Council owned infrastructure in Quilpie.
In other matters, Council approved an ‘out of round’
community grant to the Nockatunga – Toompine
Polocrosse Club for the supply of materials and in-kind
support for their upcoming event.
A development application has been made by Eagle
Gallery seeking a Development Permit for a Material
Change of Use on the property to allow for visitor
accommodation. Council approved the application
subject to a number of conditions.
Council adopted a revised ‘Community Grants Policy’.
Various amendments have been made in terms of
administrative processes.
The next Ordinary Meeting of Council is scheduled for
Tuesday 16 June 2015. Members of the community
are also reminded that all Councillors are happy to
speak with you on any issues.
As the Centenary of Quilpie approaches, Council
considered the Expression of Interest for the part time
coordinator position. Council accepted the proposal
from Outback Project Consulting (Ms Sophie Turner).
Regards
Dave B.