Mayor warns Minister that road neglect will come back to bite
Local Government Minister Desley Boyle received the message loud and clear during a flying visit to Texas and Goondiwindi last week.
"We were delighted that Minister Boyle was able to spend some time speaking with Council and listening to our concerns during her visit," Cr Scheu said.
"Naturally she is very busy and had an extremely hectic schedule while she was visiting Goondiwindi and Texas," he said.
"Don't ignore the road system for too much longer," Mayor Scheu warned the Minister while she was here.
"It will come back to bite the government in a big way.
"It may not be in this current term of Local Government but it will surface in the not too distant further," the Mayor predicted.
While not directly responsible for the Main Roads network, Cr Scheu hopes Minister Boyle will take the message back to her counterpart, Minister for Main Roads, Hon Craig Wallace MP.
"We are very much an agricultural district and with the lack of suitable rail options available, it is only a matter of time until our road network deteriorates or worse still collapses," Cr Scheu explained.
"More than 78% of the grain is currently on the road network and that figure is constantly rising. Not to mention, the stock, fodder and mining transport that our district generates. We are a very stable and diverse region and we rely on a strong road network.
Our geographic situation sees this Regional Council in the position that some 1,100 transport vehicles a month pass through the centre delivering just the pipelines to the Western Downs District," he said.
And while governments both state and federal are praising the contribution of the agricultural industries in this time of economic downturn Cr Scheu doesn't believe the support in the way of road funding is nearly sufficient.
"It is painfully obvious that we are not going to see a change of heart in the rail situation so we desperately need more road funding to maintain the current network," he said.
Mayor Scheu also noted that Council also needs the work to maintain the Council workforce that is currently employed.
"I believe we have some of the best construction crews in Local Government and the lack of allocation or work to local Councils places a greater than normal strain on the Council budget. Our Council needs a greater share of the Road network upgrades to keep our crews employed," Cr Scheu said.
Roads were not the only topic discussed at the meeting between Council & Minister Boyle with Forestry and National Parks another topic high on the agenda.
"We are constantly being reminded by rural constituents of the lack of control by forestry and government-run acreages. Neighbouring properties constantly complain about the problems they are faced with in regards to feral animals and pests from adjoining properties," Cr Scheu said.
"Both the Forestry and National Parks need to lift their game particularly in the field of Wild Dog Control," he warned.
Other discussion points on the agenda included the achievements of the amalgamated Goondiwindi Regional Council to date.
These included the integration of the Urban & Rural Rating systems within 15 months, the Enterprise Bargaining agreements and the general progress of the amalgamated Council.
The Goondiwindi Regional Council was the first amalgamated Council to have their financial reports lodged and believed to be one of the first five Councils state-wide - an outstanding achievement Minister Boyle acknowledged.
Council also challenged the fact that our Region, probably the most affected by change and growth is still without a Regional Plan. It is yet to be determined just where the Goondiwindi Regional Council fits into a Regional Plan and meantime, Western Downs, Southern Downs and Toowoomba Regional Council are asking the same question.
The effects of mining and the lack of information provided to Local Governments was another topical point that the Minister was made aware of on her visit.
Mayor Graeme Scheu thanked the Minister for taking the time to visit the region and in a parting comment, he stated that this Council was not shirking the task at hand and were determined to make this amalgamation work.
"It is far too good a region not to succeed and the ratepayers of this region deserve the best," Mayor Scheu concluded.
The visit was not totally about 'what ifs'.
Minister Boyle took time to officially open the Water Intake project at Texas and also had a brief look through the recently refurbished Goondiwindi Cinema.
"The Minister was very impressed with the cinema, particularly the restoration of the art deco architecture," Cr Scheu said.
"This type of building can not be built these days and it is the ideal situation for a multi use Cinema and conference centre, right in the heart of the CBD where patrons can access restaurants and CBD shopping," he said.
The refurbishment can only add to the Arts & Culture for the district. Ironically, Council endorsed the Arts & Cultural policy the very next day at the General Meeting.
Stage One A & B of the refurbishment of the Goondiwindi Cinema will be officially opened by Minister Kate Jones on Friday October 16. Look for details.
For further information, please contact:
Cr Graeme Scheu
Mayor
Mobile: 0427 718 877
gscheu@goondiwindirc.qld.gov.au