Maranoa Regional Council ordinary meeting recap: Mayoral robes, budget and highway speeds on agenda

The Maranoa Regional Council has made some big decisions about the budget, highway speeds, and even ceremonial robes were on the table. FIND OUT MORE.

Maranoa Regional Council 2024. Photo: Kristina Ayers.

At Maranoa Regional Council’s May 24 ordinary meeting, councillors discussed a range issues from structural and organisational decisions, to investigation of mayoral regalia and road safety.

The council noted the absence of mayor Wendy Taylor, who has taken a period of compassionate leave after a personal tragedy in the death of her husband Peter.

Mayoral robes and chains

In their May 24 ordinary meeting, Maranoa Regional Council voted unanimously in favour of investigating the cost of purchasing mayoral robes and chains.

The item was placed on the agenda by mayor Wendy Taylor, though it was dealt with in her absence.

It was moved by councillor Amber Davis, and seconded by Jane Vincent. While some councillors expressed uncertainty about the necessity of the robe and chains, all eight councillors did vote in favour of investigating the cost associated with the purchase of the regalia.

“I’m more than happy to support the investigation of the cost to purchase mayoral robe and chains,” Ms Vincent said.

“I just think it’s a nice thing to do for those special occasions.”

Meryl Brumpton asked the chamber whether any of the shires had mayoral robes before amalgamation.

Acting mayor Cameron O’Neil said to his knowledge, only the Roma Town Council had robes and chains.

“There are members of our community who have raised this with me and obviously have raised this with (Wendy Taylor) as well,” Mr O’Neil said.

“As for the other former shires, I’m not aware.

“I would have thought that in terms of investigating the cost of the mayoral robes and chains, that would be an important element to bring back to the chamber.”

Johanne Hancock emphasised that the robes and chains were not about making the mayor feel “important”.

“It is just an investigation … off the back of the community inquiring about this,” Mrs Hancock said.

“This is actually about making the community feel important at those special events, when it is appropriate to wear the mayoral robes and chains; to make the people who are having those ceremonies … feel important.”

John Birkett said the feedback he had gotten from the community was that mayoral robes and chains were not necessary. However, he said that while he was “on the fence”, he would still support an investigation into the cost.

Mr O’Neil said there is also a historical element to having mayoral robes and chains.

“I‘ve seen those ceremonial events in other councils, where the mayor has worn a robe and chain, or just the chains, and it is really special, particularly at the citizenship ceremonies,” Mr O’Neil said.

“Community members in Roma have raised this as something of interest, and I know Mrs Taylor has obviously had queries from the community about a desire, at least, for council to consider whether this is something going forward we should have.

“I would hope if it got to the point where we are considering the next steps, that the main fact be local businesses that could provide the regalia attached the robe and chains.”

Warrego Highway, Mitchell speed limit

A council spokesman said the Booringa Action Group, a Mitchell-based advocacy group, wrote to council requesting a decrease of the speed limit of the Warrego Highway as it goes through Mitchell.

Booringa Action Group chief executive Jeff Watson said the change was important for community safety.

“We’ve all seen some near misses,” Mr Watson said.

He said the highway straight through town means road trains routinely thunder through Mitchell’s main street.

“The concern is for a vehicle of that size and mass their stopping distance is quite long,” Mr Watson said.

He said this is especially problematic as the street was lined with angled parking spots.

“Sooner or later there will be a tragedy,” Mr Watson said.

In their May 24 ordinary meeting, the Maranoa Regional Council resolved to write to the Department of Transport and Main Roads requesting the change.

Other topics

A council spokesman said council resolved to expand the audit committee from two members to four members.

“The main purpose of the Audit Committee is to oversee council’s financial and risk management performance,” the spokesman said.

“The greater focus on the Audit Committee aims to give the community a higher level of confidence that Council’s finances are well managed, with full scrutiny from well qualified external people.”

The council also resolved to adopt the existing procurement policy, though it intends to revisit it at a later date. The council spokesman said it aims to make sure it is “easier to do business with council”.

Further, the council adopted the remuneration schedule as suggested by the Local Government Remuneration Commission.

The council increased the allocated budget for water bore 21.

Finally, the council made a minor change to their organisational structure, which means that council’s communications team will report directly to the council’s chief executive.

“This highlights the importance that this council places on communication with the community, but also that decisions about council structure are being returned to the elected council to determine,” the spokesman said.

Originally published as Maranoa Regional Council ordinary meeting recap: Mayoral robes, budget and highway speeds on agenda