Annual report provides a wide breadth of detail on council business

Published: 10 Nov 2021

Resident can see for themselves exactly what council has delivered over the past 12 months thanks to the 2020-2021 annual report.

The report, adopted at an ordinary meeting today, includes information on the usual roads, rubbish and rates, along with major highlights and project snapshots.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the financial year’s performance could be summed up as persistent, progressive, and prosperous.

“Due to COVID and its challenges, the ‘new normal’ for commerce, industry and community will be a continuing challenge,” Mayor Williamson said.

“However, as our region has done so often in tough times, we bounced back with gusto,” he said.

“Council staff stepped up and worked harder than ever to deliver programs and services.

“Our construction and manufacturing sectors took advantage of the State and Federal housing incentives, which saw council approve new lots from 368 in the previous year to a whopping 3144.”

Additionally, concessions approved for six new developments through council’s Facilitating Development in the Mackay Region Policy, delivered a combined estimated economic output of $83.86 million and an estimated 155 construction jobs.

The highly anticipated Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Project continued to gain momentum with land acquisition, local area planning framework consultations for Finch Hatton and Eungella and a Small Business Mentoring Program currently under way.

Mayor Williamson said the report was full of interesting and diverse facts about council and the types of services, support, and facilities it provided the community and ratepayers.

He said the report would include detail some residents wouldn’t know council delivered, including awarding more than $550,000 in community grants for the financial year.

One of those successful applicants was the Sarina Bowls Club, which received $25,000 for the refurbishment of its green and ditch.

All this information and more can be found in the 2020-2021 annual report on council’s website.