A Year of Change - Council releases its 2019-2020 Annual Report

The Balonne Shire Council has released its Annual Report online today labelling 2019-20 as a Year of Change.

 Mayor Samantha O’Toole said that title certainly encapsulated the period.

“After many years of drought, 2020 began with a flood event which filled our rivers and dams, promising a fresh start,” she said.

“Our Welcome Mate campaign was launched and reached over 136,000 people as well as attracting the attention of Tourism Queensland and pop princess Kylie Minogue, who retweeted it to her millions of followers.

“Then came the global pandemic which has rocked the entire world including our own backyard.”

Among the highlights of the year outlined in the report were:

• Mungindi River Park redevelopment undertaken
• Funding achieved for the new Library Innovation Hub at St George and the Country University Centres at St George and Dirranbandi
• $3 million Transport and Mains Roads Carnarvon Highway upgrade
• The beginning of projects under the $3.17 million Wild Dog Exclusion Fencing Special Rate Scheme round one
• No rate increase for most ratepayers and the continuation of the seven-year Single Rural Rate Strategy
• Ratepayers given an extended period of 60 days for the August 2020 levy and;.
• Adoption of the Airport Master Plan and $1 million in St George general aviation funding achieved

Cr O’Toole said while it had been an extremely challenging year for Council, the work undertaken would clearly help the region face the future with optimism.

“I must also thank our hard working staff for their dedication and resilience in coping with a time of enormous change and still achieve positive outcomes for our community.”

The annual report can be found at https://www.balonne.qld.gov.au/downloads/download/1/annual-reports

ENDS

For more information:

Nigel Tapp, Corporate Communications Co-ordinator-Balonne Shire Council