Changes at Maranoa Regional Council: how it will affect you

A huge shake-up is happening in the Maranoa Regional Council chamber, and it might just get more people involved in their local government.

Maranoa Regional Council

WHEN our local councillors meet each fortnight, they debate in front of an empty public gallery, but the newly elected members of the Maranoa Regional Council are looking to change that.

Councillors have opted to trial evening meetings – which has not been done since the shires’ amalgamation in 2008 – and travel to the Maranoa’s smaller towns on a rotation, in a bid to make the inner workings of the council more accessible to residents.

New councillor John Birkett told The Western Star having people come to council is an integral part of how local government should operate.

“It is important to me that people can see their council in action, and get a better understanding of it,” he said.

“This way, people with 9-to-5 jobs can attend the meetings, when they otherwise couldn’t, and we can better reach our outlying communities outside of Roma.

“I think it will show people we care about all of our individual communities, by giving them better access to each of the individual councillors.”

After hours and travelling council meetings are set to start on a trial basis in June, and run through until August.

Following the three month trial, they will be looking for community feedback, and decide whether it could be brought in permanently.

Although it is very early days, some are hopeful it will become a permanent fixture, and then council can focus on other changes during their term.

Cr Geoff McMullen said it will, ideally, be the first of many.

“I believe Maranoa Regional Council needs major changes right across the organisation as a whole, changing meeting times and locations is just the beginning,” he said.

“It is important for all councils to give their residents the opportunity to attend meetings, and by changing the times, meetings will be more accessible to the wider community – I know many residents already attend meetings for various clubs in the evening.

“(As for the locations) some of the outlying areas have felt left out since the introduction of the amalgamated shire.

“While Roma will always remain the main hub, I believe council need to be more involved with the wider community.”

Regular meetings will continue to run from 9am on Wednesday, April 22, May 13, and May 27.

The changed meetings will begin on June 11, with a location yet to be confirmed.

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