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.
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