COUNCIL MEETING WRAP-UP | MARCH 2023

Key items discussed at the March 2023 Council meeting included:

• Hughenden State School to utilise the Community Bus on a weekly basis to transport students to school, and will waive fees for hire of bus to assist with encouraging better educational outcomes for all students.
• Adopted the updated Model Meeting Procedures and Best Practice Standing Orders for Local Government and Standing Committee Meetings.
• Council representatives to attend the Developing Northern Australia Conference 2023 which is being held in Darwin late July 2023, and the 2023 National General Assembly (NGA) and Australian Local Government Association Conference in Canberra in June 2023.
• Confirmed funding commitment towards the development of Hughenden Offstream Storage Project. This project is Stage 1 of the Flinders River Water Strategy, which will provide the Shire with predictable water supply now and into the future to help grow our agriculture and regional prosperity.
• Council thanks the Lions Club for its generous offer to donate $5,000 to Council for the installation of seating around the playground area at the Hughenden Recreational Lake.
• Received and approved the February 2023 Financial Report.
• Hughenden Swimming Pool is to be closed from 1 May 2023 and will reopen on 16 September 2023. While this is the period where Council focus and priority is on maintenance, the pool may be available for private hire as long as the hirers have insurance and relevant qualifications. If weather permits, the Council may open the pool sooner than scheduled.
• Approved request from Hughenden Golf Club to provide the use of two Council tractor slashers over a weekend on one occasion, to assist with maintenance of the golf course fairways.
• Torrens Creek Rural Fire Brigade awarded contract to mow and maintain toilets at Torrens Creek Township and Burra Range Truck Stop.
• Approved $2,500 in grants and donations towards community groups and individuals.
• Community Gym operating hours to be updated to 24 hours, 7 days per week.
• Approved subsidised hire fees for the ‘Shitbox Rally’ charity fundraiser which will be in Hughenden from 18-19 May 2023. We look forward to welcoming the 250 competitors and crew to our town.
• Noted the current status of Planning and Environment Court Proceedings No. 158 of 2022 (“the Legal Proceedings”); and Delegates authority to the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to section 257(1)(b) of the Local Government Act 2009, to take all steps and finalise the Legal Proceedings.

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