Council Connections - 26 October 2023

October 2023 General Meeting Update, $10.5 Million Spent in the Local Community and Portable Power Station Winner

October 2023 General Meeting Update

At this week’s General Meeting held on Tuesday 24 October 2023, Council:

• Adopted the Dust Suppression on Council Maintained Roads Policy. This policy will assist future requests for dust suppression bitumen seals on rural gravel roads. The Dust Suppression on Council Maintained Roads Policy is based on the key premise of a 50:50 contribution by the requesting landholder for the initial construction of the dust seal whereby it becomes a Council asset to maintain and renew in accordance with Council’s Asset Management systems;

• Adopted the Water Connections Policy. This new policy will provide guidance when requests from ratepayers are received. The Water Connections Policy applies to any business or person who intends to connect to, or disconnect from, Council’s water infrastructure; and

• Adopted the Asset Management Plans. The development of the Asset Management Plans was coordinated in conjunction with external consultants commencing late 2022. For the current review, assets have been categorised into Transport, Buildings, Fleet, Sewer and Water groups. The plans will assist with the practical application of resources to prolong and maximise asset life and the subsequent efficient use of Council resources and funds.

Other updates from the General Meeting include:

• The draw and announcement of the Rates Incentive Scheme Winner - Irene Emerson, congratulations. Ratepayers who pay their rates in full and on time are entered in the half yearly Rates prize draw. The prize is $2,000, which must be spent within the Hinchinbrook Shire. Council continues to facilitate the Rates Incentive Scheme in effort to assist local businesses and encourage local spending.

To read the full agenda and minutes, please visit Council’s Website, Meeting and Minutes page.

$10.5 Million Spent in the Local Community

In a remarkable transformation, Hinchinbrook Shire has witnessed the positive impact of the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), a joint effort by the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments.

This program has not only reconstructed and improved 220 essential assets and roads, but has also injected $10.5 million into the local community, with an additional $1.9 million spent externally.

Local contractors have undergone upskilling to meet higher industry standards, and specialised subcontractors and consultants have contributed to boosting engineering and construction expertise.

As the DRFA project nears completion, essential services, including roads and drainage infrastructure, have been restored and fortified to withstand future disasters.

This story is a testament to the resilience and collaboration of the community and the unwavering support of both governments through the DRFA.

Temporary Office Closure

Residents are advised that all Council staffed facilities will be closed from 3.00pm Friday 24 November 2023.

Standard operating hours will resume Saturday 25 November 2023.

Council apologises for any inconvenience this may cause and looks forward to being of assistance to you outside of these times.

For urgent enquiries during this time please call Council.

Portable Power Station Winner Announced

Recently, Council announced it was working with Get Ready Queensland to help the community prepare for the upcoming severe weather season.

This year, residents who visited the disaster preparedness display at the Hinchinbrook Shire Library had the chance to win a NRG Vault PV1500 Portable Power Station.

On Friday 20 October 2023, Mayor Ramon Jayo drew the lucky winner at the Hinchinbrook Shire Library.

Congratulations to Brendan Juides, the winner of the NRG Vault PV1500 Portable Power Station valued at $1,498!

Do not forget, a second Portable Power Station will be drawn at Maraka.

To be in the running, visit the SES stall at the Powerlink Mardi Gras in Rotary Park on Saturday 28 October 2023 for your free entry.

National Recycling Week Tours and Tagging

National Recycling Week (NRW) is not far away (Monday 13 November to Sunday 19 November 2023).

In support of this important time of year, Council has gone one step further and made November, National Recycling Month, in Hinchinbrook.

With a variety of facility tours available to schools and community groups, bin tagging programs and social media campaigns, November is all about the yellow bin and how, as a community, we can all do our part to recycle and reduce our waste to landfill.

Getting in early were the students and staff of Mutarnee State School, who recently toured the Warrens Hill Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre (WLRRC).

Full of questions and curiosity, these little waste warriors learnt all about how a landfill works, the types of items that are free to drop off, and saw just how many recyclables are still unfortunately finding their way into landfill.

School and community groups are invited to express their interest in tours to the WHLRRC or the Townsville Materials Recovery Centre (MRF) by contacting Council.

Need to print the Council Connections page? Click on the link below for the printable version. 

COUNCIL CONNECTIONS - 26 OCTOBER 2023