welcome to council showcase · 2015-12-15 · welcome to council showcase from the director-general...

From the Minister

Welcome to Council ShowcaseFrom the Director-General

Welcome to Council Showcase.

This new, bi-monthly publication is all about you – a showcase of the great work happening in councils across the State.

No longer is local government just about roads, rates and rubbish. Queensland is in a time of change; the needs of our communities are changing and the public is

continuing to demand more.

Councils are meeting these challenges. Throughout Queensland there are examples of councils collaborating and using regional partnerships to save resources and costs. There are also many councils who have developed innovative, ‘outside-the-square’ solutions to meet the challenges being faced.

These and other community-focussed approaches are excellent ways to provide that ‘added value’ that our communities are expecting.

As Director-General of the Department of Local Government, your department, I expect this agency to be the champion for local government. One aspect of this will be to help you promote the great things happening around the State and I see this publication as playing an important role in doing this.

This publication is your chance to showcase your wares. Importantly, it will also serve as an idea sharing vehicle. No one council is the same, but there certainly are common challenges and common solutions that can be applied.

I encourage you to send us your story ideas and promote the publication within your council offi ces.

Michael KinnaneDirector-General

Welcome to the fi rst edition of Council Showcase which replaces the Outlook magazine. Irrespective of whether you are a regional, rural, remote, indigenous or metropolitan council, I know many of you are working on innovative programs and major projects. Council Showcase will highlight the best of Queensland councils so you can see what is happening across the State and

perhaps draw on those ideas for your own council.

I am pleased to see councils are already working together and taking advantage of the $25 million Regional Collaboration and Capacity Building Program. This is a great opportunity to take control of your future and ensure the long-term sustainability of your communities.

Planning has a huge impact on our communities. It is a responsibility which all levels of government must take seriously. A discussion paper will be released soon looking at potential changes to the Integrated Planning Act 1997 to make it simpler, to clarify planners’ and councillors’ roles and responsibilities and to give the community more certainty about planning decisions.

I again remind Mayors and councillors that planning schemes are statutory documents – not guidelines. New legislation now requires councils to give reasons for approving development applications that depart from their planning schemes. These decisions will need to be published online.

The Crime and Misconduct Commission’s report into Gold Coast City Council has highlighted the importance of open, honest and transparent local government. The issues raised are very serious indeed and I am committed to making reforms before the next council elections in 2008 to improve the transparency of the electoral process. Nevertheless, it should be remembered that the great majority of Queensland’s 157 local governments are going great guns. They operate effectively and with integrity.

There is so much that is good going on in local government in Queensland. I urge you to use Showcase to keep up with what other councils are doing but also to share your best projects and lessons learnt. I hope to see you in the pages of Showcase.

Hon Desley Boyle MPMinister for EnvironmentMinister for Local Government and PlanningMinister for Women

Council Showcase Showcase June 2006

Contents:Minister’s foreword IFC

Director-General’s foreword IFC

COMMUNITY: Livingstone Shire 2

Cairns fi re safety 4

Diamantina health 4

Thuringowa community engagement 12

COLLABORATION:Size, Shape and Sustainability Southern Downs councils 3

Water saving SEQ councils 5

Johnstone shines after Larry 6

Eacham rises to the challenge 7

No boundaries 7

INNOVATION:Townsville sustainable housing 9

Isisford water saving 11

PEOPLE:Meet the Mayor – Livingstone Shire 10

Meet the Mayor – Johnstone Shire 10

Women in local government – Richmond CEO 13

p13

Council#1

Councils leading the way for our future

June 2006 issue:

Main story:Councils move on after Cyclone Larry

Johnstone shines after Larry page 6

Eacham rises to the challenge page 7

No boundaries page 7

p4p9

p11

Send your council’s story ideas to:[email protected]

Council Showcase Showcase June 2006 1

Livingstone isn’t concerned about next year or the year after – they’re preparing for fi ve, ten years down the track. And most importantly, they’re bringing the community along for the ride.

Through the establishment of community reference groups and hosting informal council meetings with residents in all areas of the Shire, council has been able to engage the community in its planning.

This has allowed council to marry-up the community’s priorities with the council’s forward planning agenda.

Livingstone Mayor Bill Ludwig said, “Right from the start I wanted to ensure that all of our communities, including the outlying ones, could feel they had a voice in the Shire’s direction.”

The results are obvious when you look at the constant progression of major project after major project. The latest major projects include:

Yeppoon Sewage Treatment PlanThe new $17 million Western Plains plant, opened at the CQLGA conference by Local Government Minister Desley Boyle, has replaced the 30 year old plant and will re-use over 95 per cent of its treated effl uent. The Shire’s philosophy when considering Environment Protection Agency discharge guidelines, was why throw money at a lame dog (upgrade the old plant), when there was a more community-focussed outcome available; a new plant in a new location. Partnering with the State Government, the Shire was able to attract $6.9 million in State funding.

$26 million Western Bypass and Kinka Link RoadIn partnership with the Department of Main Roads, Livingstone has set about developing an integrated road network, which considers the economic needs of the Shire’s future, striking a delicate balance between agriculture and tourism.

Water for the futureIn keeping with its ‘eye on the future’ approach, Livingstone has readily taken the lead on the Central Queensland regional water strategy. The priority project of this strategy is a water pipeline from the Fitzroy River to service the Capricorn Coast.

Other projects on the agenda include:

• The revitalisation of the Yeppoon and Emu Park CBD’s; and

• Establishing a heavy transport terminal near Bondoola and upgrading commuter and heavy transport corridors.

Livingstone is great example of ‘thinking bigger’. And the Shire has no intention of slowing down.

As Mayor Bill Ludwig put it, “If taking on ambitious projects is in the best interests of the Shire, then that’s what we as leaders need to push”.

Livingstone Shire is no doubt one council that’s staying ahead of the game.▲

By adopting a ‘beyond the horizon’ approach to planning, Livingstone Shire is pro-actively building the region’s future.

Living’s great in LivingstoneThe recent Central Queensland Local Government Association (CQLGA) conference provided the perfect opportunity for Livingstone Shire to showcase its commitment to community.

Livingstone Shire

Through the establishment of community reference groups and hosting informal council meetings

with residents in all areas of the Shire, council has

been able to engage the community in its planning.

2 Council Showcase Showcase June 2006

COMMUNITY

Southern Downs Councils take on the SSS challenge

Rising to this challenge of change, Southern Downs councils have been fi rst to take up the Size, Shape and Sustainability (SSS) initiative, confi rming their commitment to investigate options for change that best provide for the councils’ long term sustainability.

Comprising of Goondiwindi Town Council, Inglewood, Stanthorpe, Waggamba, and Warwick Shire Councils, the Southern Downs Review Group recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) to get the SSS underway in their region.

“The Southern Downs councils have a strong history of cooperation and resource sharing and it was fairly obvious to all of us that this was a logical group to undertake such a review,” said Waggamba Shire’s Chief Executive Offi cer, Peter Stewart.

“LGAQ and the Department have worked to develop a well thought out and comprehensive review process which will provide an unbiased means of identifying practical and effective options for reform.

“Simon Smith, CEO of AEC Group Ltd has been appointed as the review facilitator and is currently collecting and evaluating data from all councils. We expect Simon to meet with individual councils over the next couple of weeks to fi nalise the sustainability indicators.

“Within the Southern Downs Group, Waggamba Shire and Goondiwindi Town Councils have previously established a Resource Sharing Advisory Committee. Even with the best

Southern Downs region

intentions there are still limitations on effi ciencies. As a ‘donut’ structure, a growing population has resulted in an overspill from the town into the shire. This has impacted on the resources and effi ciencies of both Councils.

“As such, Goondiwindi and Waggamba Shires see the review as an opportunity to look at our whole council operations and to better understand our positions, allowing us to move forward with confi dence,” said Mr Stewart.

SSS is a practical process through which councils can review their ability to meet the needs of local people, identify where changes need to be made, set their own agenda for the future and put their ideas into practice.

SSS encompasses not only the physical boundaries of councils, but also the areas of collaboration and operational arrangements to better deliver services to their communities into the future.

LGAQ’s Director of Policy and Representation, Greg Hoffman said, “The response from councils to the SSS initiative has exceeded our expectations, with 20 review groups involving 91 councils having been established already.

“Councils have recognised the tremendous opportunity afforded by the program and are moving to take advantage of it.

“The Southern Downs Review Group was the fi rst to sign a Memorandum of Agreement to commence the review process and are to be congratulated on their enthusiasm to get the job done,” said Mr Hoffman.▲

As communities across the State grow and decline, so too, do the variety of services provided by councils – highlighting local government’s expanded role in addressing the unique political, economic, environmental and social needs of local people.


COLLABORATION

Cairns sets example in fi re safety inspection program

Cairns boasts two of the world’s greatest natural treasures – the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest, but it now also boasts one of the best fi re safety inspection programs of budget accommodation buildings in the State.

Cairns City Council has stepped up its efforts to ensure budget accommodation in Cairns is some of the safest in Australia.

Cairns has 99 budget accommodation buildings, and 53 of these are backpacker premises.

Mayor of Cairns, Kevin Byrne said: “As one of Australia’s premier regional cities, we are the international gateway into Tropical North Queensland.

“We value tourism and pride ourselves on having safe backpacker and budget accommodation buildings.”

The Far North’s backpacker industry is estimated to contribute $200 million to the local economy each year.

As at 28 April 2006, Cairns City Council, through the joint inspection program with Queensland Fire and Rescue Service, had inspected 89 per cent of their budget accommodation buildings.

Eighty-eight buildings have been inspected and 70 were fully compliant, meaning they have a Fire Safety Management Plan in place and meet the requirements of the Fire Safety Standard. This includes smoke alarms, emergency lighting and emergency escapes.

Of the 18 partially compliant buildings, 14 had minor defects such as a missing smoke alarm or emergency light and only four buildings required major work. Since the Childer’s hostel fi re in 2000, the Fire Safety Standard was phased in across the State over two stages to give owners enough time to meet the requirements. Stage 1 required buildings to have a Fire Safety Management Plan, smoke alarms and emergency lighting by 30 June, 2003.

Owners had until 30 June, 2005 to comply with Stage 2, which required some buildings to carry out structural improvements such as installing extra exits and fi re hose reels.

Through the joint inspection program, Cairns City Council has set an example for other councils to follow. No one wants to see another Childer’s tragedy – fi re safety laws are about saving lives.▲

To fulfi l the community need for accessible health care throughout the Shire, Diamantina Shire Council has taken innovative steps towards the development and operation of its own health service.

While the Diamantina Shire consists of a small population of around 350 residents, it attracts in excess of 50,000 tourists annually, lured by its outback appeal and popular events including the internationally renowned Birdsville Races.

Providing adequate services in the outback can sometimes be a challenging endeavour, particularly for Diamantina Shire which is one of the largest and most remote shire’s in Queensland.

To adequately cater for local residents and visitors, Council committed to achieving a better outcome through collaboration.

Thanks to support from the Australian Federal Government (Department of Health and Ageing) and Queensland Health, Diamantina Health Service (DHS) was established in early 2005, with health service delivery provided by North and West Queensland Primary Health Care (NWQPHC) under contract to Council.

“Backpackers check into Cairns Central Youth Hostel, one of the budget accommodation

buildings in Cairns fully compliant with the Fire Safety Standard.”

Image courtesy of Cairns Central YHA

Diamantina Shire

Diamantina Shire’s helping hand with community health

Cairns City


COMMUNITY

“Health care delivery by NWQPHC has greatly improved the level of health care for Shire residents and visitors alike,” said Andrew Geddes, Diamantina Shire Council’s Chief Executive Offi cer.

DHS’ evolution coincided with the establishment of a state-of-the-art health services facility, ‘The Birdsville Clinic’ with Diamantina Shire Council contributing in excess of $650,000 of Council funds towards construction of the facility.

The Birdsville Clinic provides round-the-clock nursing care, with support from NWQPHC, Allied Health staff (including Dieticians, Speech Therapists, Physiotherapists), and regular visits from the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

The same level of service is also provided for the town of Bedourie out of the Bedourie Medical Centre.

“This new and enhanced 24/7 service is vitally important for the community.

“Prior to the inception of DHS, only the most basic health care services were provided, and these were dependant on the availability of trained staff.”

“Those living and working in the Shire can now rely on access to timely and adequate health care. In addition, we are able to provide a fi rst class service for visitors to our outback home,” said Mr Geddes.

For the future, Council aims to continue managing the Shire’s health needs, by strengthening its partnership with Queensland Health, in order to provide the best possible care for its diverse communities.

The DHS project is an excellent example of councils looking beyond their traditional roles of local government, seeking broader-scope innovative solutions to meet the diverse range of community needs.▲

South EastQueensland

Region SEQ Councils – Partnering to defeat the drought Premier Peter Beattie, Water Minister Henry Palaszczuk and

the 18 SEQ council Mayors came together in April to sign up to the water-saving project.

Drought-stricken south east Queensland (SEQ) councils have joined forces for a new initiative that is expected to save at least 60 million litres of drinking water a day. The $80 million project – part of the SEQ Regional Water Supply Strategy – will give councils improved control over pressure and leakage in their water supply systems, in a bid to cut water consumption.

It will involve all 18 SEQ councils, including Beaudesert, Boonah, Brisbane, Caboolture, Caloundra, Esk, Gatton, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Kilcoy, Laidley, Logan, Maroochy, Noosa, Pine Rivers, Redcliffe, Redland and Toowoomba.

According to Council of Mayors (SEQ) chairman Councillor Campbell Newman, the project is a direct response to the ongoing drought and the need to save water by any means possible.

“South east Queensland’s water situation is worsening, with Wivenhoe, Somerset and North Pine dam levels at under 32 per cent,” Cr Newman said.

“This project will mean a saving of at least 60 million litres, which is equivalent to 60 olympic-sized swimming pools, per day.

“Trials have shown that pressure and leakage reduction can be up to four times cheaper per megalitre than a new supply option

– such as a dam or desalination plant.

“During pressure and leakage trials on the Gold Coast, there was a 71 per cent reduction in water main breaks and a nine per cent reduction in water usage.

“It is quicker and cheaper to save water than to build new infrastructure to catch the infrequent rainfall we receive – or to manufacture drinking water,” said Cr Newman.

Under the project, councils will redesign their water pipe networks into ‘demand management zones’, so that if a pipe bursts it can be easily located and have its water supply switched off.

Councils will also upgrade their pipe infrastructure and repair broken pipes, as well as reducing water pressure within their supply systems to ensure water fl ows at a slower rate.

However, these efforts will still allow enough water pressure for homes and businesses, as well as the capacity to boost pressure and fl ows in the event of a fi re or other emergency.

The project will be overseen by Local Government Infrastructure Services, a joint initiative of the Local Government Association of Queensland and the Queensland Treasury Corporation.

Local Government Minister Desley Boyle said, “It is wonderful to see councils from across the region coming together to commit their resources and know-how to this vital project.

“This is a great example of the possibilities of collaboration between Queensland councils – and I am therefore delighted to provide funding for these works to be carried out.”The Queensland Government will contribute up to $32 million in subsidies to the project.▲


COLLABORATION

A little over 50 days after the cyclone crossed the coastline we can defi nitively say the Shire passed with fl ying colours.

The success of the response plans was primarily due to the spirit displayed by the people who responded to the disaster: SES volunteers, the Army, community volunteers and most notably the staff of Johnstone Shire Council.

Mayor Neil Clarke said, “In the fi rst week of the aftermath there was only us, the army and SES volunteers who banded together to tackle the destruction.

“The staff of the council did an outstanding job, dropping their day-to-day roles to pitch in any way possible. I think our GIS offi cer is now a certifi ed labourer after many hard weeks following the cyclone.”

Mayor Clarke also praised the support the council received from other councils across the State. The Gold Coast City Council provided self-suffi cient chippies and chain saw operators, which was vital considering there was no accommodation or facilities available. In addition to this the Redland Shire Council provided an engineer who had a high level of knowledge of the region, which was invaluable.

And the help didn’t stop there. Queensland Health and other councils provided environmental health offi cers whose task it was to tackle issues relating to mosquito breeding, water and food shortages and sewage contamination.

All in all it was a great team effort and a demonstration of the importance of collaboration and working together.

Mr Clarke said the Shire was now focusing on restoring the community’s comfort and confi dence.

He said, “It wasn’t just our houses that took a battering through Larry, but our mental wellbeing too.

“It will take time to recover, but I am confi dent we will become a stronger, closer and more dynamic community as a result. We will use this horrendous event as an opportunity to rebuild and move the community forward.”

“The one thing about the Johnstone Shire is its resilience. When you travel around and see splintered trees, twisted pieces of metal and shattered windows and homes, it’s almost enough to break your heart.

“But then you go past a car with a sign on it saying ‘Hey Larry, you missed a bit’ and all you can do is smile and know we’ll come out of this a stronger community."▲

Johnstone shines after Larry

Category fi ve Cyclone Larry packed winds up to 290 kph and put Johnstone Shire’s emergency response plans to the acid test.

Johnstone Shire


COLLABORATION

The giant natural wrecking machine destroyed roads, water and sewage infrastructure, power and telecommunications systems.

As with Johnstone Shire, the relief efforts in the weeks following the destruction were extremely diffi cult and one of the major highlights was the response of Eacham Shire Council staff.

Mayor Ray Byrnes praised the efforts of council staff and commended their ability to march on despite the obvious stresses of the situation.

He said, “To a person, there was not one complaint from the staff. Everyone got in and did their bit. I couldn’t have asked for more dedication or commitment”.

Unlike Johnstone who managed to keep some radio airwaves open and operating, Eacham was in a complete communication blackout. That’s when the council and ABC got together to remedy the situation and started broadcasting from the Council offi ce.

Mayor Byrnes said, “The ABC were great; it was vital to open lines of communication and radio was our only option.

“It wasn’t only about the importance of getting messages out, but psychologically it was very important for residents to hear from the council about the relief efforts. The fi rst few weeks were very tough, but we are slowly but surely getting back on our feet.

“The shining light to come out of this is the knowledge that if a category fi ve cyclone can’t break the community’s spirit, then nothing can".▲

Eacham rises to the challenge

Eacham Shire sits around 700 metres above sea level, high in the beautiful Atherton Tablelands, yet there was no place to hide from Tropical Cyclone Larry.

No boundaries

A deal was done well before Tropical Cyclone Larry had the chance to smash into the North Queensland Coast. The region knew Larry was coming and was as ready as it could be.

That deal was between Cardwell Shire Mayor Joe Galleano and Johnstone Shire Mayor Neil Clarke. The deal made was ‘no boundaries’ – an agreement that the clean-up and recovery across the two Shires would be a partnership without regard to council boundaries.

Mayor Galleano said, “We weren’t sure what the extent of the damage would be, we knew Larry was coming, and we made the decision that whoever could provide help would.”

“And there was a lot of cleaning up to do,” Mayor Galleano said.

While Cardwell didn’t receive the structural damage that Johnstone sustained, there was other damage. Crops across the region were destroyed, which poses a signifi cant long term threat for the agricultural region.

The region’s beautiful coastline also took a battering with beach erosion remaining one of Cardwell Shire’s primary concerns.

Power, food, water and accessibility were again the common problems with the relief effort. Council generators, and generators provided by Hinchinbrook Shire, were sent to the more devastated northern parts of Cardwell Shire. The council also undertook food and water drops to areas such as Mission Beach.

Mayor Galleano said there was a bit of a twist of fate which helped the smaller townships in Cardwell Shire get power restored quicker than expected.

“There was a group of Ergon Energy workers on their way to Innisfail, but because of fl ooding they couldn’t get past Tully.

“So while they were trapped in Cardwell they started fi xing the power network in towns along the way such as Cardwell and Tully.

“We originally thought we wouldn’t have power back on for one or two weeks in these areas, but it was back on in 24 hours. When the fl ooding subsided the Ergon team took off to Innisfail to commence the next job”.

Chief Executive Offi cer of the Cardwell Shire, Mark Kelleher, said the benefi ts of staff training and preparation for a natural disaster had been one of the Shire’s highlights.

He said, “Disaster management training is a requirement of all council staff. The training provides staff with the skills and knowledge on what to do when a disaster strikes”.▲

Eacham Shire

Cardwell Shire


COLLABORATION

Townsville City

Townsville City Council – Sustainability matters!

“Climate-responsive design

is not only good for the

environment, it is also

cost-effective for the

homeowner in the longer

term, saving money on

electricity costs.”

Townsville City Council is encouraging local homeowners to make their houses more environmentally friendly with its Sustainable Housing for the Tropics campaign.

For the past three years, the campaign has highlighted the benefi ts of water and energy effi cient housing features that are not only sustainable – but also suited to life in the tropics.

According to Deputy Mayor, Councillor Ann Bunnell, who is chair of council’s Sustainable Development Committee, the campaign is strongly focused on climate-responsive design.

“Townsville has a mainly dry tropical climate, which means for most of the year it is great for an outdoor lifestyle, but this climate can sometimes make indoor living hot and uncomfortable,” Cr Bunnell said.

“Air-conditioning has long been the solution for many households, but this is not the most environmentally friendly option for keeping cool – or the cheapest.

“Climate-responsive design is not only good for the environment, it is also cost-effective for the homeowner in the longer term, saving money on electricity costs.

“It involves using simple and intuitive design principles, which cost no more than common designs, to optimise a home for a particular climate.

“For homeowners in Townsville, this means positioning or opening up the house to give greater access to breezes; structuring the house so these breezes can move freely through the building; and using shading to keep direct sunlight out of the house.

“This natural way of cooling can signifi cantly reduce greenhouse emissions and electricity bills – making it a win-win situation for householders and the environment.

“So far, the public reaction to the Sustainable Housing for the Tropics campaign has been overwhelmingly positive and we hope this continues” – Cr Bunnell.

As part of the campaign, Council has published a series of fact sheets that are helping to educate the community about sustainable living.

These fact sheets are intended for two key groups: the general public, who are targeted with information on how to build, buy, renovate and live in a more sustainable home; and the building industry, whose fact sheets feature information and tools to design and build sustainable housing that will meet public demand.

Council has also provided a number of fi nancial incentives for residents to make their homes more sustainable, including waiving application and inspection fees for solar hot water systems, and waiving the application fee for greywater reuse systems.

In addition, a sustainability scorecard is currently in development which will allow residents to rate their household against sustainability standards.

Already, this innovative campaign has seen Townsville named as one of 11 Australian cities in the running to become a Federal Government-appointed ‘Solar City’ – the only Queensland city to achieve this honour.

“With the recent changes to the Queensland Building Code, which require all new homes in the state to be water and energy effi cient, there is no better time for Townsville residents to get serious about sustainability.

“Hopefully this campaign will continue to show local homeowners the benefi ts of sustainable living, especially for residents of the tropics,” Cr Bunnell said.▲

Climate-responsive design in a tropical environment like Townsville allows for maximum

breeze and shade to help keep homes cool.


INNOVATION

What is your Shire famous for? For being “green like you’ve never seen”. One of the greenest Shires in Queensland for two reasons: our vegetation and our commitment to the environment.

Interesting irony: Johnstone is also renown for its art deco architecture, which was a result of rebuilding from the 1918 cyclone.

What is your proudest achievement as Mayor? Without a doubt, the Shire’s response to Tropical Cyclone Larry. It means a lot when you walk down the street and get congratulated by members of the public for the job council did. You never know how you’ll react to a situation like this until you’re in it, and I’m proud to say everyone involved did an outstanding job.

Greatest Shire asset? I think our greatest asset is our consistent water supply. With the current environment water will become more precious than oil. We’ve never had to impose water restrictions but since introducing water charges people’s usage has reduced which will ensure our lasting supply.▲

Mayor: Frederick William (Bill) LudwigCouncil: Livingstone ShireService: 6 years as Mayor, 3 years on CouncilPrevious 25 years as an entertainment/special eventsoccupation: promoter and publicist

Interests: Staging community events such as the Livingstone Great Australia Day Beach Party and Carols by the Beach, being involved and providing support for community organisations, and fi shing.

Vision for the Shire: To create an environment where economic growth and development can be balanced with positive environmental and community outcomes to ensure long-term sustainability for both Livingstone and the Region.

Strengths: Vision, innovation, commitment, enthusiasm, determination.

Greatest achievements: Implementing major cultural change to Council at both a political and organisational level, introducing effective community engagement strategies, and building partnership projects with the State Government to deliver major infrastructure projects such as the $26 million Yeppoon Western Bypass and Kinka link-road, the new $16 million Yeppoon Wastewater Treatment Plant, and securing $7.4 million in funding from the Federal Government to upgrade Shire roads used to access the Shoalwater Bay Army Training Area.

Greatest Challenge: Getting to appointments on time.

One for the future: Providing the stewardship to make the transition from Shire to City status.▲

Meet the MayorMeet the Mayor

Mayor: Neil (Clarkie) ClarkeCouncil: Johnstone ShireService: 2 years as Mayor, 10 years as Deputy Mayor

Johnstone Shire

Livingstone Shire


PEOPLE

Isisford Shire Council – Water for the future

Isisford Shire Council is betting on an innovative new project to keep its town water supply from disappearing into thin air.

The $75,000 project, to begin in June this year, will see Council fi t its Yaraka dam with anti-evaporation devices to prevent clean drinking water from evaporating into the atmosphere.

This process is predicted to save about 16 million litres of potable water each year – which is equal to the amount used by Yaraka town residents for the same period.

According to Council Chief Executive Offi cer Robert Bauer, the project is a fi rst for a Queensland council

– but Yaraka could serve as the perfect test case for other similar water-saving initiatives.

“Isisford Shire has a hot, dry climate and is still suffering from the effects of drought, so water evaporation is a real issue for us,” Mr Bauer said.

“Each year, the water level in Yaraka dam drops by about three metres as a direct result of evaporation.

“We looked at a few different options to prevent this from happening, but installing the AquaArmour modules seemed to be the best choice from a water-saving and cost perspective.

“It represents the fi rst attempt by a Queensland council to use this kind of technology to prevent evaporation from its town water supply.

“As Yaraka is a small town with a population of just over 20 people, the success of this project will show us whether the technology can be applied to larger scale water-saving projects – either within the Shire or elsewhere in the State.”

The AquaArmour modules, designed by south east Queensland fi rm Water Innovations, are dome-roofed fl oating devices which capture water vapour as it escapes into the atmosphere.

The 1.5 metre-wide modules are made of high density polyethylene – which is lighter than water – and are hexagonal in shape, allowing them to form self-arranged patterns on the surface of the water.

Multiple AquaArmour units will be placed on the dam to cover 80 per cent (or 0.6 hectares) of its surface area – capturing the bulk of evaporation while also allowing for oxygenation of the water.

“About 7.6mm of water evaporates from Yaraka dam each day – which, across a surface area of 0.74 hectares, is a lot of water being lost unnecessarily.

“If we can cut this evaporation to just 20 per cent of the surface area, we can save about 1.35 million litres a month, or 16 million litres a year”.

“Assuming the dam is at its full capacity of 35 million litres, this saving will extend the dam’s ability to supply water to the town from a period of 18 months to about 27 months,” Mr Bauer said.▲

A glimpse of the future for Yaraka: a ‘before and after’ artist’s rendition of an AquaArmour installation on South Australia’s Myponga dam.

Isisford Shire


INNOVATION

Thuringowa City

Thuringowa City Council is giving its residents a greater say on local services with its progressive approach to community engagement.

Thuringowa City Council – Engaging with the community

Since adopting its community engagement framework in 2005, Council has been actively involving local people in the development of services in their own areas, in order to improve project outcomes to better meet community needs.

Council is working hard to achieve this through a range of consultation methods, including focus groups, workshops, site tours, public meetings, surveys and online feedback.

According to Mayor of Thuringowa Les Tyrell, community engagement has given Council a much-needed fresh perspective on a range of important projects.

To date, Council has used community engagement as a primary tool in driving a number of key projects.

These include the Upper Ross River Road streetscaping project, the masterplan for Bushland Beach and Mt Low, and the development of a cultural policy for the city.

For projects that will directly affect certain sections of the community (such as the youth development strategy and the action plan for an ageing population), council has also found it useful to engage with its specially assembled community reference panels.

These groups – Thuringowa Voices, the Seniors’ Council and the Youth Council – are made up of volunteers who

are called upon a few times a year to provide on-the-ground feedback about community policies, events and projects.

Importantly, this community engagement has given Council access to previously hard to reach groups, including young people and indigenous people, by giving them a sense of participation and leadership on key projects.

One recent example involves a group of young people who had petitioned Council for a skate park in their area.

Rather than simply acting upon the petition with no further consultation, Council engaged with the interested group to assess possible sites for the skate park, discuss their reasons for site selection, assist in selecting building contractors, provide input to the fi nal design and organise a launch event.

So what does Cr Tyrell believe is the key to Thuringowa’s successful community engagement work?

There are three key factors: a clear purpose, knowing what the objectives of the engagement activity are, and a detailed understanding of the relevant stakeholders involved.

“We are the fi rst to admit that we don’t always know the answers to many issues in our city,” Cr Tyrell said.

“We have certainly seen fi rsthand the impact and success of asking our community their views on many projects, whether big or small.”▲

“I think most councils are realising that community engagement is now an essential and key component of project management in local government,” Cr Tyrell said.


COMMUNITY

Women in local government

Climbing ladders

Michelle Clarke is the Chief Executive Offi cer (CEO) of Richmond Shire Council.

“I was told by colleagues that I should be a CEO of a council,” Michelle Clarke explains, although this 37 year old mother of two had always believed the position was too hard. Something changed when Michelle decided to apply for the Deputy CEO position with Aurukun Shire Council.

Moving her family to Aurukun, a community of 1,200 residents situated in the Western Region of Cape York, meant big lifestyle changes for the Clarkes.

“I was hesitant with two boys; how were we going to adjust to living in a remote community”. But with the support of her husband, a fi sherman keen to spend more time on the coast, they headed north.

Michelle had extensive practical and theoretical experience and a Degree in Law and Administration. In Brisbane, she was a Prevention Offi cer with the CMC and had worked for the Department of Local Government, Planning, Sport and Recreation helping to develop the Best Practice Guide for Agenda Management and Minute Recording.

Michelle believes that living and working in Aurukun prepared her for anything and she has learnt to manage with very limited resources.

After 10 months in Aurukun, Michelle was offered her current position as CEO at Richmond Shire Council. Although the family was not looking to relocate, the offer was too good too refuse.

“We had always wanted to experience the Dinosaur Trail and we were keen to experience the lifestyle offered in Richmond”.

Michelle credits the support of her husband, council members and the Richmond community for making her job easy. In Richmond, she enjoys the social country lifestyle, the water sports at the Lake, fossicking, race days, football, exploring the outback and being closer to her kids.

Michelle’s advice to other women keen to get involved in local government is; “If you want to climb the corporate ladder I can recommend experiencing regional Queensland, it will be an experience to remember for the rest of your life”.▲

The Mayor of Aurukun, Councillor Neville Pootchemunka, and myself. The Mayor presented me with a traditional fi re stick and dilly bag when I was leaving and I presented him with a quilt wall hanging (made by my mum) representing the fi ve clans of Aurukun to thank the community and Council for the cultural experience and accepting my family into their community.

Michelle credits the support of her husband, council members and the Richmond community for making her job easy. In Richmond, she enjoys the social country lifestyle, the water sports at the Lake, fossicking, race days, football, exploring the outback and being closer to her kids.

Moving her family to Aurukun, a community of 1,200 residents situated in the Western Region of Cape York, meant big lifestyle changes for the Clarkes.

Richmond Shire


PEOPLE

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