This term of Council I am going to try to bring to you a regular report on the happenings of Council and what has occurred in the region/division over that period. I am hoping to do monthly reports, but they may turn into every second month depending on the workload at the time. This Thursday marks the first month of this new Council, on the 14th April 2020 we were all sworn in and officially able to start work (I never actually stopped) and what a time for a newly formed Council to commence, right in the middle of a Pandemic.
I am honoured and very happy to have been re-elected for a second term and given the opportunity to be part of this new Council.
I feel that we have a diverse selection of good community members that now make up our Council team. The last month has been a whirlwind of issues and the need for decisions to be made on the go to keep up with the directives coming from the Federal and State Governments has been challenging, costly and time consuming, but it looks like the worst may be over and we are coming out the other side, let’s hope so.
This turmoil has had consequences to our financial position as a Council and will have repercussions in this years budget, but we are currently working on this and looking at ways to still be able to deliver what the community needs and wants even though some projects may have to be pushed out to future budgets.
The budget deliberation and formation work has taken up most of our time in the Consultation Days that we have managed to conduct in line with the COVID-19 restrictions, but Council is hoping to still be able deliver the 2020/2021 Budget on the 26th of June 2020.
Even though, times have been unprecedented, planned work has continued across the region and Division. Division 1 has seen the following list of works undertaken in the last month:
1. Oakwood Drainage Project has been completed and the finished work looks great. It just needs some decent rainfall now for it to be tested.
2. Fairymead Road from Tanthitha Road has been re-sheeted and line marked.
3. The bus shelter on Pacific Boulevard at Moore Park Beach has had a makeover, with the broken lattice and fibre board being replaced with iron and mesh. This facility is also planned to have its accessibility issues addressed and rectified within the next couple of months.
4. Winfield Road bridges replacement project is on track and work is progressing very well and weather permitting should be completed on schedule in June.
5. The missing link in the Sharon bike way from the old tram line to Workman’s road has be completed. The dirt section has now been sealed and is much safer.
6. Dickson Road at Yandaran has had an existing cause way replaced with culverts and concrete slab and apron to improve the accessibility and drainage in that area.
7. Avondale has had roadside drains cleaned out and formed in Blunder Street, Blackall Street, Bowen Street, Normanby Street and Kennedy Street.
8. The Bundaberg North water supply system upgrade has had all the main line installation works undertaken and work is progressing on the installation of the variable speed pressure pump system.
9. Roadside slashing/mowing has occurred throughout the Division.
10. Road grading has been carried out on the following roads:
Avondale – Crappas Road, Faulkners Road, Flagstone Road, Old Bushes Road
Mullet Creek – Arnicars Road, Brandts Road
Watalgan – North Littabella Road
Winfield – Mollenhagens Road, Richters Road
As always there is a lot happening and going on in the Division and Region.
From next week, COVID-19 restriction relaxations will see some Council facilities re-open to the public. Libraries, playgrounds, parks and BBQ facilities will be available and as the risk of the Pandemic eases, I will be out and about conducting my regular community catch ups and consultations as time permits. But should you have anything that you would like me to look at and/or discuss with you, just give me a call on 0438 681 189 and we can arrange a time to meet.
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