COUNCIL MEETING WRAP-UP | FEBRUARY 2023

Key items discussed at the February 2023 Council meeting included:

• Model Meeting Procedure and Standing Orders to be re-tabled at the March Council Meeting.
• Voted against offering postal-only ballot for the Local Election – providing local community members the choice to visit a local polling booth or arrange postal vote option.
• Virtual attendance at the Developing Northern Australia Conference on 24-26 July 2023.
• Purchase vacant land at 31 Gray Street, Hughenden. The land ownership will allow Council to commence planning for future developments. The options discussed include (but are not limited to) the Country University Centre and a new library.
• Adopted the Queensland Housing Strategy 2021-2025 - Local Housing Action Plan for Flinders Shire, which addresses emerging and long-term challenges and recommendations.
• Two university scholarships to be provided to Anjeleah Corrigan (enrolled in Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours)) and Maddison Jones (Bachelor of Nursing Science/ Midwifery). Both are from JCU Townsville, and each will receive an annual scholarship amount of $5,000 per annum.
• Five contractors are shortlisted to progress to tender phase for the Hughenden Offstream Water Storage project, which includes the construct a 7,000ML single-cell earth fill embankment storage and associated civil works.
• Pavement concession at Hughenden Airport provided to Lifeflight (formerly Careflight Group) to enable rapid response medical care to the local community.
• Twenty-five (25) conforming tenders to be placed on Council’s prequalified suppliers of plant hire list.
• New grandstands to be purchased for the Showgrounds with capacity to seat up to 500 people, which will replace the current grandstands in poor condition.
• Townley Contracting Pty Ltd appointed as the contractor for management of Hughenden Landfill for $475,000 (ex. GST) for three years, commencing 1 March 2023 and ending 28 February 2027.
• Council to submit a funding application to Minor Infrastructure Grant for improving infrastructure at the Hughenden Showgrounds and RV camping area.
• Grant funding of $22,644.50 to be provided to local community groups for events and infrastructure improvements.

... plus much more. Read the full meeting agenda and minutes on Council’s website here.