CEO flags new hopes for 2014

A CROSS-BORDER agreement with Tenterfield Shire is among the achievements for Southern Downs Regional Council in 2013, according to CEO Andrew Roach.
He listed the Memorandum of Understanding, the redevelopment of customer service centres at Warwick and Stanthorpe and the opening of the new Allora Medical Centre as among the past year’s highlights.
Mr Roach said disaster management had also come to the fore with extreme weather patterns in 2010/11 and 2013.
“Council officers, including the Community Services team, responded swiftly and comprehensively to community needs following the Oswald flood event and the Pratten storm,” he said.
“After flooding comes repair work and council completed flood damaged road contracts to the value of $26 million.”
Mr Roach said there has been a great deal of proactive work in the planning and development area of council, with three developers’ forums held to obtain stakeholder feedback on development applications and economic development.
“Council is also reviewing its Planning Scheme and its Economic Development Strategy, ensuring that these documents are forwarding looking and take advantage of all of the current and future potential of the region as well as opportunities that occur,” he said.
“As CEO I am particularly proud of the work conducted and pay tribute to all council staff for their commitment.”
Looking ahead, Mr Roach said council’s focus in 2014 will be on completing major projects while keeping an eye on “the big picture”.
He said staff will be working on finishing the Allora Water Pipe Line by June 2014; continuing to improve the financial position of council to a balanced budget; and progressing the Environmental Impact Statement on Emu Swamp Dam.
Mr Roach said the council was now ready to lock in some major projects, whether it’s streetscape, sewer upgrades, roads, saleyards, aero parks or community facilities.
“There is a long list that council need to decide upon so we can commence the project and finish before the end of their term,” Mr Roach said.