Maranoa Regional Council finds groove in second council ordinary meeting

As the new council and acting chief executive find their groove, Maranoa Regional Council has begun to make some important decisions, including taking charge of an important community asset. Here are the highlights from their most recent ordinary meeting.

The new Maranoa Regional Council is finding its groove in the council meeting on April 24.

The new term of the Maranoa Regional Council is finding its groove. From warning equipment to the management of community assets, the council is continuing the previous council’s reputation of delivering for the community.

Council voted unanimously to approve a request from the Bureau of Meteorology to install flood warning equipment in five locations on council-owned property.

Councillor Joh Hancock clarified the equipment will be used to measure weather, not river heights.

Councillor John Birkett said he had lodged a council report regarding the potential installation of automatic river gauges to protect the community during flood events, after the deluges in April.

Council also unanimously resolved to take over the management of the Surat Tennis Courts and Clubhouse, including implementing a system to protect the facility, while ensuring it stays available for community use.

Councillor and Surat local Joh Hancock said she thought the recommendation was great for the community.

“The tennis courts are getting a lot of use,” Ms Hancock said.

“The community are using it – they’re very, very excited about the upgrade.

“There’s a lot of hype in our community and I think this is just another way that council can protect their asset, which they need to do, but let it still be a community asset available to the community, seven days a week.”

Council also unanimously resolved to take over the structural management of the Yuleba Memorial Hall, after the dissolution of the previous executive committee, and complete a structural report in preparation for the Cobb Co festival.

Acting chief executive Cameron Hoffman said undertaking a structural investigation of the hall was “reasonably urgent”.

The next council meeting is set to take place on May 7, with a few important items already listed on the minutes.

The council will deliberate whether to approve the mayor and deputy mayor’s attendance to a summit in Brisbane at the end of May, and whether to impose water restrictions on Surat for the dry season.