North Burnett Council to decide on RM Williams bush learning centre, showgrounds, funding

A matter of ‘councillor conduct’ behind closed doors will join a long list of outstanding issues to be studied by the North Burnett Council next week, including its ongoing relationship with showgrounds across the region.

The North Burnett Council will decide on the future of several pools in the region including the Monto Pool (pictured). Photo: contributed Adelaide Baumann

The North Burnett Regional Council will discuss more than 20 outstanding items at its general meeting next Wednesday, May 24, some of which are more than two years old.

A total of 26 resolutions are outstanding from July 2020 through to April 2023, with councillors expected to provide updates.

Tributes flow for legendary Qld horseman Ken May

Among the outstanding issues is a decision on whether or not the council should remove itself as the trustee for the Gayndah, Monto, Eidsvold and Mount Perry Showgrounds.

It is unclear what this decision could mean for those regional shows, but it is suggested as part of the resolution the council reach an agreement similar to that of Biggenden and Mundubbera Showgrounds.

The council will also decide on the future of the RM Williams Bush Learning Centre, following a 2022 resolution to decline Expressions of Interest into “disposing” of the assets.

Many of the items are classed as works in progress, with items to progress as part of future budget discussions, stakeholder discussions and outstanding reports.

Structural reports on the Biggenden, Eidsvold, Gayndah, Monto and Mundubbera pools will guide decisions on operating agreements.

The Mount Perry State School P & C will have to wait for the council’s 2023 budget discussions to find out if it will receive the financial support it hopes to get for its swimming program.

The council will also discuss the results of an investigation into the Mundubbera Washdown Facility, which closed recently due to a biosecurity risk.

The investigation was slated to reveal “a potential and compliant alternative for future use,” the agenda said.

“North Burnett Regional Council is committed to delivering quality services to the community, meeting its obligations to provide a safe and healthy workplace for elected officials and staff, and to use resources equitably and efficiently,” the agenda said.

“However, council will take proactive and decisive action when customers conduct themselves unreasonably.”

The council will vote to adopt the directive, which will judge unreasonable customer conduct on five different categories.

Unreasonable persistence, unreasonable demand, unreasonable lack of cooperation, unreasonable argument and unreasonable behaviour could result in a council customer having their communication limited.

The council will also discuss two separate confidential items behind closed doors, including an investigation into councillor conduct.