Several key issues were progressed including the Western Rail Line interoperability with Inland Rail at the Darling Downs and South West (DDSWQ) Council of Mayors' meeting in Goondiwindi which was held on Friday July 15.
DDSWQ Council of Mayors' Chair and Toowoomba Region Mayor Paul Antonio said Friday's meeting heard from the team that had put submission to the Federal Government for the upgrade of the Western Rail Line to allow interoperability with Inland Rail when it arrives, a plan backed by DDSWQ Council of Mayors'.
"The meeting heard a presentation from Ernst and Young who have completed a submission to the Federal Government to upgrade the West Moreton Rail Line to enhance its interoperability with the inland rail and benefit producers to the west.
"This is a project that has the backing of the DDSWQ Council of Mayor's and we eagerly await the Federal Government's reaction to the proposal," Mayor Antonio said.
Mayor Antonio said the the Indonesian threat of Foot and Mouth Disease in cattle is also an ongoing concern for the group and was discussed at length during Friday's meeting.
"It is a big concern for the Queensland cattle industry that Foot and Mouth Disease is so close to our shores in Indonesia and Friday's meeting was a chance for the Mayors to discuss this and keep up the advocacy with the Federal Government on this issue especially given over 60 per cent of cattle in feedlots are in our area and 70% of the state's grain production comes from this area.
"Friday's meeting was also an opportunity for the group to hear from Andrew McConville, the CEO of the Murray Darling Basin Authority about the ongoing review of the basin plan with a focus on realism and flexibility into the future. The upcoming Murray Darling Basin Conference will be held in Albury and the DDSWQ Council of Mayors' are very keen to hear of the outcomes of the conference," Mayor Antonio Said.
The status of the ongoing migrant and refugee relocation program from Toowoomba to St George was also discussed with 10 families on the journey.
"Regional migration is so important to the cultural fabric of many towns across South-West Queensland and the group has applauded the work of TRAMS (Catholic Care), Multicultural Australia, Balonne Shire Council and business operators in the Balonne region. This Federally-funded project will become a model for potential roll-out more broadly and may now attract more funding which we look forward to," Mayor Antonio said.
The meeting also welcomed State Disaster Coordinator Major-General Jake Ellwood and Brendan Moon from the Queensland Reconstruction Authority to discuss the ongoing flood recovery efforts across South-West Queensland.
"The ongoing recovery efforts will be a mammoth task for many regions across the Darling Downs and South-West and we will need help from the State.
"The meeting was a positive opportunity to discuss with Major-General Ellwood our issues and the ongoing needs of local government as we continue to recover.
"Major-General Ellwood discussed the clear guidelines that are in place for recovery efforts and acknowledged how hard our farmers and rural communities have been affected. He has a strong appreciation of the role local Councils play which is positive. The longer-term Queensland Resilience Plan is almost completed and importantly places more focus on shifting resources to prevention and mitigation rather than just repairs which is something I've been advocating for a long time," Mayor Antonio said.
The Council of Mayors (DDSWQ) represents the communities of the Bulloo, Quilpie, Paroo, Murweh, Maranoa, Balonne, Western Downs, Goondiwindi, Southern Downs and Toowoomba regions and shires, covering an area the size of Sweden.
Photo caption: Meeting in Goondiwindi on Friday at the Darling Downs and South-West Queensland Council of Mayors' meeting were (from left) Cr Carol Taylor, Toowoomba Regional Council, Mayor Tyson Golder, Maranoa Regional Council, Deputy Mayor Rob Mackenzie, Goondiwindi Regional Council, Brendan Moon, CEO, Qld Reconstruction Authority, Major-General Jake Ellwood, State Recovery Coordinator, Qld Reconstruction Authority, Deputy Mayor Geoff McDonald, Toowoomba Regional Council, Mayor Paul Antonio, Toowoomba Regional Council, Mayor Vic Pennisi, Southern Downs Regional Council, Mayor Suzette Beresford, Paroo Shire Council and Mayor Stuart Mackenzie, Quilpie Shire Council.
