Western Downs Regional Council has adopted its Annual Report for the 2023/24 financial year, showcasing the organisation's continued commitment delivering legacy infrastructure, quality essential services and financial stability for the region.
The Annual Report outlines Council's achievements and activities during the past financial year and was endorsed at its Ordinary Meeting on Thursday, 21 November.
The report includes Council's financial statements which have been audited by the Queensland Audit Office on behalf of the Auditor-General.
Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Andrew Smith said despite a challenging year of consecutive bushfire and flooding events, Council maintained its focus on delivering great outcomes for residents.
"Multiple flooding events continued to impact the condition of regional roads and Council progressed a $180.8 million capital works program, which included progression of a record flood restoration program to fix and improve Western Downs roads," Mayor Smith said.
"Council completed more than $89 million in capital works to deliver the core services that keep our region's strong, diverse economy moving.
"This included a capital investment of more than $43.6 million into local road upgrades and maintenance which also incorporates our regional road resilience program to strengthen our roads against future weather impacts, and more than $880,000 into new or improved footpaths.
"Western Downs Regional Council remains one of the few debt-free Local Governments in Queensland and our commitment to responsible financial management means we can proactively invest in new capital projects and infrastructure to grow our region.
"Our economic development horizon remained robust with $7.5 billion in projects in the pipeline and $3.9 billion of that already underway in the 2023/24 financial year.
"Council was able to invest in a number of important liveability projects to advance our region and provide a quality lifestyle for our active, vibrant community including the new Tara Aquatic Centre, Chinchilla Cultural Centre revitalisation and Mary's Place at Dalby.
"Other important legacy projects progressed in the 2023/24 financial year included the development of a new water infrastructure though construction of a water supply bore and pipelines for Dalby, planning for the new Chinchilla Aquatic Centre, and planning for the revitalisation of Thomas Jack Park Precinct including the new Dalby Cultural Centre."
Mayor Smith thanked fellow Councillors, Council's executive leadership team and staff across all operational areas for their efforts across the 2023/24 financial year.
"The future is incredibly bright for the Western Downs, and I thank all of our Council staff for their passion and incredible work," he said.
"We believe in the Western Downs that 'it's the people that make it' and Council's success is directly linked to the skills and capability of our people.
"In the 2023/24 financial year, Council continued to invest in local jobs and skilling the next generation though our award-winning Early Career Development Programme.
"We continue to be recognised as a prestige employer, with Council awarded the Large Employer of the Year at the Darling Downs South West Regional Finals of the Queensland Training Awards for the fourth year running."
The Western Downs Regional Council 2023/24 Annual Report is available can be downloaded online at https://www.wdrc.qld.gov.au/Council/Plans-Publications
