Road closed sign shortage
Cr Jo McNally raised concerns about the Council’s preparedness for flooding at the 14 September Ordinary Council Meeting.
Cr McNally asked whether the Council was at risk of running out of “road closed” signs given the amount of water around the region and if they needed to address this.
Staff stated they would take this on notice, but from time to time they were running on short supply.
“Obviously we want to carry enough but not too many.”
Cr Ross Bartley said that in some situations, staff could not get to areas to put up road closure signs and asked whether they could look into getting locals to help out in those situations.
Cr Sheryl Windle supported this, stating that in areas such as Leyburn locals know when it’s likely to flood and having locals helping out could “eliminate maybe a catastrophe in future”
Cr Bartley said there have also been instances where vehicles like trucks have had to reverse out of areas as signs were placed too far down a road that they could not turn out of.
Killarney speed limits
Cr Stephen Tancred raised in the 14 September Ordinary Council Meeting that it had been brought to his attention at the Killarney Area Promotion Association (KAPA) Annual General Meeting that residents would like to see speed limits in town lowered.
“I understand it’s not one of our roads, it’s a main road, but other communities have made representations to us,” he said. “I would raise Ballandean, where they had the speed limit dropped by 10 kilometres with our assistance, and no doubt they’ll raise it more through the UDF process.”
Cr McDonald highlights housing issues
Cr Cynthia McDonald raised the State Government’s upcoming housing summit during General Business at the 14 September Ordinary Council Meeting, stating that regional Queensland is definitely affected by the housing crisis.
“Compounding factors such as Covid-19, floods, and interstate migration of over 50,000 people in the last 12 months are exacerbating the problem that we see in front of us.”
Cr McDonald asked that they consider requesting to have Mayor Vic Pennisi represent the Southern Downs at the housing summit in October this year.
She stated there were many pertinent issues to address, such as the housing crisis, rental crisis, emergency and domestic violence accommodation, emergency accommodation generally, and the shortage of worker accommodation in the region.
Mayor Pennisi stated he may already have an invitation, but would check and let councillors know if there was a need for the motion.
Cr Jo McNally asked that they workshop prior to the Mayor’s attendance as they would all have something to input.
Cr McDonald raises crime concerns
Cr Cynthia McDonald cited “very worrying statistics” about crime in the region at the 14 September Ordinary Council Meeting.
In General Business, she stated that the Darling Downs has seen a near doubling in car thefts and unlawful entries over the last two years.
“While I recognise that policing is a state government level concern, it directly affects our community.”
Cr McDonald stated she had noticed in one report tabled at the meeting, the amount of dumped cars is “on the increase”.
She requested that the Council approach Warwick Police for information or a briefing to consider the crime trends in the region and possible strategies locals could employ to assist in reducing crime rates.
Mayor Vic Pennisi said he had requested that Warwick Police present to the Council.
Killarney Pool temporarily closed
The Killarney Pool will be temporarily closed following the retirement of the previous operator, Shirley.
Southern Downs Regional Council has stated they are actively working to identify short-term solutions to re-open the pool while they recruit a new operator.
They thanked Shirley for her years of service and dedication to the local community and wished her well in her retirement.
