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Community and Seniors Program March 2024

 

2024 01 Public Notice Local Government Elections_

Today I am confirming that I will not run for re-election in the upcoming local council elections.

It is a bittersweet decision that wasn’t taken lightly. I have loved my time as councillor and deputy mayor, but at 67 years old I feel it’s time to make more time for my family and friends.

It has been an absolute privilege to serve the Quilpie community for the last 27 years.

I feel very proud of what Council has achieved over the last quarter century and want to pay tribute to the fantastic staff who are our greatest asset and the backbone of everything we have achieved. I have witnessed the team continue to go above and beyond for the benefit of Quilpie Shire. This unique sense of pride and camaraderie will continue to hold our shire in good stead.

I also feel very fortunate to have worked alongside some outstanding mayors, CEO’s and fellow councillors. I am proud to have been part of the teams who have helped deliver financial stability to our council,. This is a legacy that will continue to benefit the shire for years to come.

Some of my proudest achievements during my tenure as councillor and deputy mayor include:

• Upgrading road networks throughout the Shire, in particular the Quilpie-Thargomindah Road and Adavale Red Road.
• Fully funding and building the state-of-the-art council depot ahead of schedule.
• Enhancing community facilities including shire halls, the airport terminal and turning Bulloo Park into a multi-purpose community space.
• Increased community consultation for forward planning.
• Building five new homes in 2023, with eight houses and six townhouses planned for 2024.

We may be relatively small, but we are mighty, and our reputation as a progressive Council has been well earned.

While I will no longer have an official capacity with Council, I look forward to continuing to support the community I love. I have a business to run and will help run fundraising activities for our local Friends in Isolation charity and working with them on the excellent support they offer our community. I would also like to continue being involved in community events.

I hope that my departure opens fresh opportunities for community members to consider a role as a councillor. I would like to wish prospective new candidates all the best, and hope that they find the new role as rewarding and fun as I have.

Kind Regards

Jennifer Hewson

Deputy Mayor

A message from the Mayor

Thank you, Quilpie Shire

After many months of serious thought I have made the decision to not stand for re-election in the upcoming March local government election.

This has not been an easy decision to make, but after 23 years on council, 12 as Mayor, I feel the time is right.

I was first elected to council in 1997 as the only new councillor in a council of nine. At that time, we were paid a $120 meeting fee and rarely had more than 14 meetings a year.

A lot has changed since then. The responsibilities, time and commitment required is reflected in the well-paid positions councillors and mayors now hold.

I am proud of council’s collective achievements in my time as a councillor and mayor and feel confident that I will be leaving the position with an extremely competent and stable senior team in place.

Council is in an extremely healthy financial position, with a substantial and fully funded work program set for the next 12 months. This will give the new council ample opportunity to consider and set their own goals, ambitions and agenda for the future of the shire.

Being a councillor, and then mayor, has been an enormous honour and privilege. I have been incredibly fortunate and would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our community for your support over the past 27 years. I hope I have repaid some of your faith in me.

The Quilpie Shire, through its history, has traditionally produced stable competent councils with long standing mayors which has been to our great advantage. I sincerely hope and believe this will continue. I wish my successor my genuine best wishes and sincerely hope they enjoy a successful and rewarding time in the role.

I would like to thank the many councillors and staff that I have shared my time with and my family for their continued support over the years.

To the people of the Quilpie Shire, thank you once again. I believe we can all look forward to a bright and prosperous future.

Kind Regards

Stuart Mackenzie OAM

Mayor