April 2016 Boulia Shire Council Council
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Channel Country Chatter Volume 11 Issue 4 April 2016 Boulia Shire Council Council OUR NEW COUNCIL In an epic challenge for all Council seats including the Mayoral position, Boulia was on the edge of its seat to see who would be successful. The number and quality of candidates who were willing to put forward their name for selection was encouraging. Ten local people with the best interests of Boulia at heart endured the long process of counting and then waiting for the Electoral Commission Queensland to acknowledge the final result. It was a very close finish with two candidates being separated by only one vote. The results are in and our newly elected Coun- cil will be kicking off on 13th April 2016 with the first order of business – Declaration of Oath by each of the newly elected nominees, after which they will represent our Council as Councillors. The meeting will commence at 10- 00am in the Shire Hall and will be open to the public. In case you have been somewhere else and haven’t caught up with the news: MAYOR: ERIC CHARLES BRITTON (Rick) Successfully re-elected as Mayor. Rick was elected onto Council January 2007, elected Mayor March 2008, born Eric Charles but has always been called Rick. His grandmother and father were born in Boulia. Rick and Ann (wife) have two chil- dren Thomas and Claire. Rick is one of the few lucky ones in life that has a job where Confucius says "choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life." Rick's passion is his family, the land he lives on and the community he lives in. Hobbies are reading, watching NRL and horse riding when time permits. COUNCILLOR GEORGE SAMUEL BEAUCHAMP (SAM) Successfully re-elected. Elected to Council in 2004, Sam is a beef cattle producer, an electrical contractor and an active member of the community especially with the hosting of the rodeo and the races. In 2006 Sam was elected as Boulia Shire Council's Citizen of the Year. Sam repre- sents the Council on land, health and safety and historical issues. COUNCILLOR BROOK McGLINCHEY Brook was successfully re-elected after already completing four years with the previous Council. Brook grew up in Boulia on his parent’s cattle and sheep station and is a very active member of the community. As a family man with three young children he is committed to the future growth of the Boulia Shire. Brook has previous experience in representing Council in housing and Diaman- tina/Georgina Catchment Committee Lake Eyre Basin Group. COUNCILLOR ALLAN ROBINSON Successfully re-elected after being elected August 2014 in a by-election. Allan, affectionately known in the outback as "BOZO", was born and grew up in Townsville until 15 years of age when he then embarked on the beginning of his working career. Bozo's extensive list of experiences include: owner/operator of his own business, interstate and overseas travel, working in civil con- struction & mining industry and extensive experience working on the land as manager and con- tract musterer. Allan has a keen interest in the progression of the local community and Shire. COUNCILLOR REBECKA BRITTON (BECK) Newly elected Councillor Beck Britton is a well known local community figure with a passion for Boulia. Beck does not have a singular focus as she believes every aspect of our shire is impor- tant. Roads; to deliver, Families; for the future, Tourism; improved economy & enhanced regional exposure, Local Business; support those who support the community, Grazing; local population & ratepayer base, Community; those that choose to live & work in the town of Boulia, Education & Skills Development; ongoing, inclusive & accessible. If you have an article for the newsletter, please contact 4746 3188 or email [email protected]. Newsletter can also be viewed at www.boulia.qld.gov.au Channel Country Chatter MAYORAL minute…….. March 2016 The past 6 weeks have been a whirlwind of speculation and excitement for Boulia. The election on 19th March saw the re-election of Councillors Brook McGlinchey, Allan Robin- son and Sam Beauchamp and the first time election of Rebecka Britton (Beck). Congratu- lations to you and I am looking forward to working with you all for the betterment of Boulia. On a more personal note we lost a very valuable Councillor and Deputy Mayor in Kelsey Neilson and she will be sadly missed around the table for the invaluable contributions she made to Council over the last nine years. On the congratulatory lines: Congratulations to Joyce McCullouch who was elected as the Mayor of Mt Isa. As the dust from the election settled I found myself taking a speedy trip to Mt Isa after an invitation to join the Premier and several Ministers on their visit. Discussions surrounding the upcoming Camel Races and the potential for the Racing Minister Grace Grace to visit was earmarked. A briefing sub- mission was presented on the issue for making the Donohue Highway a State Road, this was dis- cussed at length as this is a priority for the future sustainability of Boulia Shire Council. After a 5- 30am start that day I managed to swing into the gate at home at 1-30am just ready for ‘start up’! On Saturday 9th April, the CEO Lynn Moore, the Deputy CEO Jeff Sowiak, and the Works Overseer Kevin Barr and myself headed off to a long awaited meeting with Bularnu Waluwarra and Wangkayu- juru (BWW) Peoples in Mt Isa. The meeting was the first face to face meeting the Council had with the new members of the BWW Board. Council was keen to have issues surrounding the notification of ‘Cultural Heritage Walkers’ identified and clarified so Council can commence work on roads which require gravel to be supplied from gravel pits on BWW land. It was pleasing to see that the members of the group were willing to listen to all parties during the meeting. I felt that a good working relationship was being developed during the meeting when all parties were willing to communicate. Further discussions will now be held between the Directors to nominate Cultural Heritage Walkers which are to be advised to the Council next week. Other issues which were of importance to Council and the BWW people were discussed and these will be progressed at future meetings. Over the next few weeks I will be busy with the installation of our new Council and the preparation of the 2016-2017 Budget. APRIL: On the 13th April the Council will be inducted and at the hands of the department of Local Government be guided through an afternoon training session on the responsibilities for their role as Councillors. On the 18th April I will be travelling to Longreach for Board Meeting of the RAPAD Group of Councils (Diamantina, Barcoo, Blackall-Tambo, Longreach, Winton and Barcaldine) for a meeting on the 19th April and back in town on the 20th April for a Council meeting. MAY: Kicking off on the 3rd and 4th of May will be a two day course for all Councillors (Elected Mem- ber Update training) run by the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ). This intensive course provides guidance for Councillors on the regulations surrounding Queensland Local Govern- ments role in the decision making process. On the 17th and 18th all Councillors will be attending the WQLGA meeting in Bedourie where submissions from each Council are put forward as motions to be voted on by all Councils for submission to the National Group (ALGA) which informs Government when they are in the planning stages of decision making. At the end of the month on 23rd of May the Local Disaster Management Group of which I am the chair will meet to debrief from the last season and plan for the next. JUNE: Heading off to Canberra on 19th to the National General Assembly (NGA) This year’s NGA theme is Partners in an Innovative and Prosperous Australia and will be aimed at looking at Local Government’s role in best practice, boosting productivity and showcasing innovation. Crucial policy motions will also be on the agenda, hence Council attendance is necessary to ensure everyone is able to be represented and have an input in discussions. Until next time…..Rick Channel Country Chatter WHAT’S HAPPENING IN YOUR COUNCIL - CEO Report, March 2016 As we all know the March Council meeting was deferred until April 21st due to the Local Government Elections. Although I did not play a part in the election it was very pleasing and very exciting as the nominations came into the Council office in that so many local people of Boulia were interested enough in their community to ‘give the Council a go’. Because of the rules and restrictions surrounding what information can be released (by the ECQ) we had a long wait to find out which of the nominated applicants were to be our new Councillors for the next four years. First of all congratulations to all those who nominated and were willing to put their hand up to what sometimes is a difficult and thankless job. Mayor Rick Britton was successful in retaining his position as Mayor but not without a very worthy challenge by then Deputy Mayor Kelsey Neilson. Because of the strange laws in Queensland once your nomination for Mayor is accepted you are no longer eligible to represent the people as a Councillor. It is a sad day when no matter who won the role as Mayor, Boulia would lose a valuable asset. Two very talented and committed people who have given so much to Boulia and have the potential to continue to do so were ‘captured’ by the system.