A Message from the MayorThe progression towards the newly branded Western Downs Regional Council signals a fresh

start for our region. It’s been a long time coming but we now have a name that delivers a united

voice across the entire region. The new branding provides the opportunity for people to identify

with a symbol that represents 23 towns and 99 communities and a name in which we can all

take ownership and pride.

While amalgamation may remain a contentious issue for some, it has brought with it several

efficiencies and the benefit of centralised management of the Surat Basin. Council is in a

position to better control the planning of developments across the region, provide highly

qualified staff to handle complex issues, and improve utilisation of facilities and equipment.

Western Downs Regional Council is now ready and able to move forward into an exciting era

of development.

Continued growth in the energy sector has buffered our region from the effects of the world

economic downturn. While this is largely good news for the region it is important to ensure that

in the flux of rapid development we manage to preserve the rural fabric of our communities.

With government estimates indicating an 80 billion dollar project expenditure across the

Western Downs to 2015, and around 31,000 people employed in infrastructure development

over that time, Council is focused on planning for substantial regional expansion.

We are working hard to ensure our towns remain liveable, family

orientated communities that offer an attractive lifestyle for

people in all industry sectors and deliver the essential services

that go with modern country living.

Issues such as providing adequate water supplies, affordable

housing and safe road networks are just a few of the major

challenges that Council will be addressing as we work towards a

bright future for our communities.

An Identity That Unites

Cr Ray Brown

IssUe 3 – AUGUsT 2009

coMMUnITy UpdATe

“The new branding provides the opportunity

for people to identify with a symbol that represents

23 towns and 99 communities and a name in which we can all take ownership and pride.”

1

2

Message from the ceoCouncil’s new branding announces a unified

Western Downs team with a renewed vision for

the future of the region. More than just a logo,

the new look gives uniformity to Council and

will be used to boost the profile of the region.

Spending on the interim brand was minimal

and we are now able implement the full

branding process with an image that reflects

the regional nature of our constituency.

Selling the message about our professionalism

is a key part of successful negotiations within

government and business sectors and it is

hoped that our new profile will result in better

access to funding and assistance.

Council has also undergone some internal

restructuring as a result of changes in the

Local Government Act which place a greater

emphasis on Council’s future planning and

asset management. Highly qualified staff

have been appointed to key positions within

engineering and finance to help manage

community assets totalling $800 million and

we welcome their participation.

From community consultation workshops

held to develop Council’s corporate plan a

key message was the need for Council to

establish a Major Projects Unit to act as

a conduit between Council, development

companies and key community stakeholders.

Council has responded by resourcing a

new Major Projects Unit to disseminate

information between interested parties

and capitalise on the economic growth

opportunities flowing from the Surat Basin.

While there are still challenges ahead of

us, we are starting to see the benefits of

amalgamation with streamlined efficiencies,

improved access to a wider range of services,

and greater control over development.

Council is working to

ensure resources are

spent in a way that

supports long-term

planning decisions and

delivers value for money

to the community.

Phil Berting

council’s new corporate IdentityCouncil is set to adopt a new corporate identity after

welcoming ‘Western Downs Regional Council’ as

the official title for the amalgamated electorate.

Local Government Minister Desley Boyle recently

announced that the new title would replace ‘Dalby

Regional Council’ following requests for a name that

better represented the amalgamated shires.

The move signals a new era in western Queensland

as Council assumes a title that reflects the many

towns and communities that exist within its region.

In delivering the news, Ms Boyle acknowledged

council’s consultation process with the community

and urged people across the region to embrace the

new name and practise the unity that it stands for.

“Congratulations to the Council who have led the

consultation process,” Ms Boyle said.

“My sincere best wishes go out to the community

and I hope the new name change is more than just

a symbol.

“This signals a new chapter in the history of this

important region.”

Council looks forward to engaging all communities

in the journey towards a common future.

The Brand storyAt first glance the abstract simplicity of Council’s

new logo may leave some wondering about its

origins but this striking directness goes to the heart

of the brand’s strength.

A close examination of the logo reveals a functional

design that announces a progressive, professional

and contemporary council.

The inspiration for the logo is the surrounding

Western Downs landscape. The distinct horizontal

bands symbolise sky (blue), soil and resources (red),

the tree line (light green) and fields (dark green).

These aspects combine to represent the open nature

of the region’s landscape as well as the strength

of its agricultural and resource sectors. The logo

indicates the region’s diversity and successfully

blends its various elements into a straightforward

and workable symbol of progress.

The uncomplicated nature of the design also gives

it high visibility and means it is easy to reproduce

across a vast number of applications.

The deliberate simplicity provides the scope for

an even broader interpretation so individuals can

identify with the logo in their own way and bring

personal meaning to the brand.

The logo also works well in two colour (blue and

green) and is striking when printed in mono (black

and white). When boxed within a white framework

it can be placed on various backgrounds without

losing its structure and impact.

Its clean-cut professional appearance communicates

a clear message that Western Downs Regional

Council is ready for business.

This design approach aims to maximise the logo’s

life expectancy and deliver a brand that will remain

modern and relevant well into the future.

THe sKy

soIL/ResoURcesTRee LIne

GReen FIeLds

3

Graphic deviceWhile the logo can comfortably stand alone, a

graphic device has been developed to complement

the design and strengthen the impact of the logo.

Inspired by aerial photographs of the region, the

graphic reflects the familiar patchwork of agricultural

fields and symbolises the region’s agricultural

traditions and positive growth in industry.

Using the same colours as the logo, the graphic is an

abstract collage of lines, triangles and rectangles but

easily adapts to mono and two-tone applications.

In addition to heightening the interest of the logo,

the device adds a second layer of communication

which supports the logo’s contemporary design and

reinforces the message of progress.

It will be used in-full or in-part depending on the

level of impact required and is able to be adapted

to a diverse range of Council publications from

brochures, fact sheets and reports to letterheads

and business cards.

positioning statement ‘Our Communities : Our Future’ is the new positioning statement for Western

Downs Regional Council. The aim of the statement is to define the business of

Council. It’s an important message that says what Council is and who it serves.

Community and progress are the key themes which define Council’s direction and

lie at the heart of it’s communications.

The positioning statement supports Council’s mission to represent all

communities in the Western Downs electorate while working towards a strong

and prosperous future. With so much change and development taking place

within the region, the statement indicates Council’s role in facilitating and

supporting growth.

‘Our Future’ indicates Council’s forward looking approach to business while ‘Our

Communities’ indicates a willingness to engage all communities in the journey.

Images of people from the region add further strength to the statement and

support Council’s goal to encourage a greater connection between communities

that share a common future.

new corporate officesCouncil could soon be on the move with plans

to relocate its Dalby corporate office and

Engineering Customer Service Centre to unite

staff under the one roof.

Since amalgamation, Council staff have been

split between the administration building in

Drayton Street and the old Wambo Shire Council

Chambers in Wood Street. Council is planning to

merge all departments together in the one area

and is examining a range of potential sites.

The Dalby Cultural and Administration Centre was

built in 1991 as a joint facility for Dalby Town Council

and its community. At the time, combining these

two services into the one building was considered

beneficial but today the needs of a regional council

and its growing communities are significantly greater.

With Dalby now housing the corporate office

of a large regional council and the community

looking to expand its cultural facilities, Council

is considering the merits of providing separate

venues dedicated to each function.

Planning is in its early phase and further

research on the needs of both the organisation

and the community will be carried out before a

decision is made.

Rates parity Council is moving towards the introduction of more

consistent rates charges across the Western Downs.

Under the amalgamation legislation, the State

Government has given Council until 2012 to remove

all references to the former shire boundaries when

setting general rates throughout the region.

Given the differing levels of rating employed by the

former Councils the Council was faced with difficult

decisions during the preparation of its second

budget as it moved to establish a more equitable

rating policy for the Western Downs region.

While rates will rise generally across the board

some areas will face higher increases to bring them

closer to the rating levels of other areas.

New differential rating categories based primarily

on land use have been developed resulting in a

more streamlined approach to general rates. High

impact land users such as resource companies and

heavy industry will attract the highest increases

in rates. Rating for intensive agriculture such as

feedlots and piggeries has also been standardised

across the new region.

The task of transitioning to standardised rates has

presented a significant challenge but once reached,

Council will be better placed to establish consistent

regional standards for the delivery of its services.

new community and cultural centreDalby’s cultural needs are the focus of an

initiative to create a community centre that would

house an expanded library and cultural precinct.

Improving the town’s library services is a

primary factor in establishing a Community

and Cultural Centre. Visitor numbers at the

library continue to increase as more and more

people access the facility for information,

educational support and recreation. Council

estimates that the library needs to more than

double in size if it is to adequately service the

region’s growing population.

And since literature and art share a similar

cultural attraction there are obvious benefits

in bringing the library closer to the Dalby

Regional Art Gallery within a larger

community centre.

With all this in mind, Council is examining ways

to deliver a community-friendly facility that could

become the cultural hub of the town.

There are a number of possibilities open to

Council, including revamping the existing

Cultural and Administration Centre. More

research is needed to determine the best

way forward and community input will

form an important part of the decision

making process.

2009/2010 Budget Raising much needed funds to carry out capital

works for the region’s growing economy has been a

primary focus for the 2009/2010 Budget.

As the demand for the region’s resources continues,

Council is focused on keeping infrastructure needs

ahead of development while not placing too much

burden on ratepayers.

Amongst Council’s major considerations is the need

to provide more reliable urban water supplies to

cope with increasing demand and how best to meet

the infrastructure costs associated with the delivery

of adequate supplies.

Council has also maintained a heavy focus on rural

and urban roads and the need to retain local depots

and utilise field staff when servicing the region’s

transport network.

Following calls from business and the community

to seriously consider further funding for essential

infrastructure projects, Council is examining the

potential to borrow the necessary funds.

Council presently has a very low exposure to debt and

is well positioned to borrow the funds required for

the completion of essential infrastructure projects.

Other significant challenges faced in this budget

were the withdrawal of traditional levels of recurrent

funding by the State Government, the need to

address the replacement of ageing infrastructure,

provision of ongoing funding to facilitate the

amalgamation process and the world economic crisis.

Future planning – The year Ahead

4

dalby Waste project Receives FundingWestern Downs Regional Council and the

State Government are working together to

build sustainable, liveable and prosperous local

communities.

Council has received a $3.75 million subsidy from

the State Government’s Environmental Infrastructure

Program towards the construction of a state-of-

the-art Waste Transfer Facility and Rehabilitation

Program at the Dalby landfill.

The $3,754,645 allocation provides majority funding

for Council’s nominated waste infrastructure

projects identified through a complete review

undertaken by Council into waste collection and

disposal across the region.

The project funding will result in the construction

of a waste transfer facility and improvements to

the batters of the Dalby landfill. Work will soon be

underway as the conditions of the funding require

that the project be completed within a two-year

timeframe.

The new waste infrastructure for Dalby is vital to

the community and will service residents in the local

and surrounding areas, allowing for better recovery

of recyclables, enhanced environmental outcomes

and an improved patron experience.

The construction of a waste transfer facility will

assist in meeting demand created by the rapid

expansion of the Surat Basin Energy Province and

increased usage.

The projects will also be a major economic

stimulus to the region by creating jobs during the

construction and operational phases, and the money

saved by Council will be spent on other regional

waste management projects.

Western Downs Regional Council is one of 22

Councils across the state to receive funding under

the Environmental Infrastructure Program which

attracted 56 applications with requests totalling

over $22.8 million in this funding round.

Washdown Facility constructionThe environmentally conscious new Western

Downs Regional Council is taking proactive

steps to protect the region’s ecosystem with the

proposed construction of washdown facilities at

key locations in the region. Wandoan, Dalby and

Chinchilla have been identified for the initial roll-

out of these facilities.

A steady rise in the level of development as well

as mining and gas exploration across the region

has raised concerns for the environment and

necessitated a plan to combat the proliferation of

pest weeds.

Council has identified serious issues concerning

the control of noxious plants such as parthenium.

Parthenium is an aggressive pest that has invaded

the environment of central Queensland, devastated

agriculture and put the health of humans and

animals at risk.

Traditionally weed spraying was used as a reactive

measure to the problem and while this method

yielded results, it did not address the root of the

issue.

The washdown facilities are a proactive step to stop

the spread of weeds by allowing vehicles potentially

exposed to the seeds to be washed down before

continuing to another worksite or parcel of land.

The facility will clean vehicles such as earthmoving

machinery, drilling equipment and cars to remove

seeds that could be tracked across the district and

germinate at another site.

According to the Queensland Government

Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, it

is an offence to transport a vehicle on a road if it is

known or ought to be known that the vehicle’s load

is contaminated with a declared plant.

Council is in the process of securing funding for the

construction of the washdown facilities and the

projects have been budgeted for in this financial

year with contributions from the Western Downs

Regional Council and the Queensland Murray-

Darling Committee.

Council will also approach potential users of

the facility, including stakeholders in the mining

industry, for co-contributions towards capital costs.

It is anticipated that several key stakeholders would

be keen to support the construction of a facility that

will help keep our region free from pest weeds.

Currently in its design stages, the washdown facilities

will be an invaluable asset to the environmental

management of the Western Downs region.

council In Action – projects underway or approved throughout the region

The washdown facilities are a proactive step to stop the spread of weeds by allowing vehicles potentially exposed to the seeds to be washed down before continuing to

another worksite or parcel of land.

5

chinchilla streetscape Chinchilla’s main street is receiving a $1 million

make-over as part of Western Downs Regional

Council’s strategy to improve the aesthetics of its

district centres and add to the welcoming appeal.

The first half of the funding provided through the

State Government’s Regional Centres Program is

currently being utilised to upgrade the footpaths

lining Heeney Street in Chinchilla. Two further

funding applications to the Federal Government’s

Regional and Local Community Infrastructure

Program and State Government’s Rural Living

Infrastructure Program will provide the total cost of

the project.

Concept designs drafted following community

consultation by Council include the construction

of low walls and planter boxes, the installation of

seating around the camphor laurel trees, inground

footpath lighting as well as artistic sculptures on the

Warrego Highway and traffic island.

Work has commenced on the northern section of

Heeney Street at the Bell Street intersection and

will continue progressively along the street on

the western side. The project is scheduled to be

completed by December 2009.

dogwood crossing Building extensionThe multi-faceted Dogwood Crossing @ Miles

(DC@M) has received funding under the State

Government Department of Infrastructure and

Planning’s Rural Living Infrastructure Program

(RLCIP) to address the centre’s space shortage.

DC@M helps to deliver Council’s community

development strategies using arts activities. The

‘Arts with an Agenda’ initiative connects all sectors

of the community by presenting programs that aim

to inspire and entertain. In a time of rapid growth

and social change, the centre plays an essential role

in creating social cohesion as well as adding value

to the economic wellbeing of the region through

cultural tourism.

Although DC@M continues to look great from a

public perspective, it has outgrown the building.

Staff are restricted by limited storage space

to successfully deliver the huge array of public

programs, events and workshops the facility hosts.

Additionally, in order to achieve best practice in

the storage of its art collection as well as travelling

exhibitions, significant improvements are required.

The funding from RLCIP totalling $226,800 is

dedicated to upgrading the facility in two stages.

Stage one focused on introducing the arts, literature,

social history, youth and community development to

the Western Downs region. The second stage will see

a building extension to include a museum standard

collection store, a fully equipped workshop and

meeting rooms for community, artists, young people

and participants along with general storage space.

The extension will ensure that the facility can

continue to grow, develop the community and deliver

programs and exhibitions of a national standard.

Council is investigating different funding options to

help meet the remaining $600,000 in project costs

for stage two, and the project will proceed when the

additional funds have been secured.

projects Underway

LocAL

AReA pRoJecTs

Brigalow• New toilets at

Brigalow Hall

condamine• *RLCIP Footpath

construction – Bell park to pioneer park

dalby• Swimming Pool

Refurbishment

dalby• Construction of Recycled

Water plant at dalby Wastewater plant

dalby• Lining of Evaporation

ponds at dalby Water Treatment plant

dalby• Construction of 2ML

Reverse osmosis plant

Miles• RLCIP* Footpath

construction – chinaman’s Lagoon to Miles cBd

Tara • RLCIP* streetscape

Wandoan• RLCIP* Footpath

construction – o’sullivan park to Waterloo plains

Wandoan• RLCIP* Fence Replacement

– centenary oval

Wandoan • RLCIP* Town pool

Westmar• RLCIP* sports club

Upgrade

*RLcIp – Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program

6

dalby pcyc UpgradeThe Dalby Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC)

will receive a $5 million facelift with

funding from the Western Downs Regional

Council in partnership with the Department

of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional

Development.

Council is contributing $1.95 million to the

project that will provide the community

with multipurpose indoor courts as well

as improved outdoor courts and fields to

offer better playing surfaces to local and

visiting teams. The funding will also allow

for improved child care facilities and gym

resources as well as the upgrade of all

administration systems.

The structure of the existing PCYC building

will remain the same and there are no plans

to relocate the facility from its position on

Cooper Street.

A Council review of the services offered

by the valuable community organisation

identified issues that were used to guide the

initial conceptual design of the project. Opus

International Consultants has been engaged

by Council to draft a functional architectural

design for renovations as well a landscape

design that will suit the region’s climate and

enhance the facility.

Council intends to involve all major

stakeholders of the PCYC in the development

including community groups and sporting

clubs by holding meetings to establish

required outcomes of the project and

determine cost estimates.

Tara Multipurpose Hall construction Residents of Tara and surrounds can look forward

to a new $2.7 million Multipurpose Indoor Sports

Hall offering year-round sport and recreation

opportunities for the whole community as part of

Council’s commitment to actively develop public

amenities across the region.

To be built at the Tara State School the facility will

feature a multipurpose indoor court suitable for

activities such as basketball, netball, volleyball,

basketball, indoor bowls and gymnastics.

Jointly funded by Western Downs Regional Council

and the Department of Education and Training the

multipurpose hall is designed to meet the needs of

a growing population catering for an array of indoor

activities and events.

The much needed community asset will enable

sporting clubs to stage various weekly competitions

and position the town to host more recreational and

community events.

Funding allocated under the Federal Government’s

economic stimulus package provided for the

construction of a half court facility. Council secured

the support of Education Queensland for the

full extension of the hall and will contribute the

additional $700,000 towards the project.

The Department of Education and Training has

committed $2 million to the project with the public

facility to be owned, operated and maintained by

Education Queensland.

Council appreciates the support and major financial

contribution of the Department of Education and

Training for a project that will be a great long-term

asset for the local community.

Dalby firm Carmichael Builders have commenced

construction work with the hall scheduled to open

in November.

new staff to play Key RolesWestern Downs Regional Council is in a prime

position to attract staff from across Australia

with the expertise and experience to move the

organisation forward into what promises to be a

bright future.

Council has recently appointed three new managers

with two based at the Corporate Office and one at

the Engineering Customer Service Centre.

Stephen Long is the new Community Services

Manager and brings a strong background in

engineering, natural resources management,

community development and project management.

Mr Long joins the Council team with over 20 years

experience in local government working with the

Gold Coast City Council, Lake Macquarie Council

and the Greater Taree City Council.

“Coming into this position I’m excited by

the opportunities available as a result of the

development in the energy and coal mining

industries,” Mr Long said. continued on page 8...

7

Western Downs Regional Council welcomes its new team members Group Manager Works Aaron Meehan, Community Services Manager Stephen Long and Major Projects and Economic Development Manager Jane Holdsworth

new staff to play Key Roles continued from page 7

“I’ve enjoyed being a part of changing organisations

before and the Western Downs Regional Council

offered me a fantastic opportunity to get involved,

take on greater responsibilities and make positive

changes to benefit the community. It’s challenging,

stimulating work.”

Mr Long has a special interest in and aptitude

for design, particularly landscape architecture,

so is pleased to be coordinating projects such as

the PCYC redevelopment that allows him to utilise

his creativity.

Council’s new Major Projects and Economic

Development Manager Jane Holdsworth also brings a

wealth of knowledge partially resulting from previous

employment with other Council bodies. She also

has extensive experience in business development

including facilitating and managing industry networks

and business growth support programs.

Ms Holdsworth has held positions with the Penrith

City Council and Macedon Rangers Shire Council

as well as being the Chief Executive of the Penrith

Valley Economic Development Corporation, Chief

Executive of the Retirement Village Association of

Australia and Chair of the Western Sydney Economic

Development Officers Forum. This work history makes

her exceptionally qualified to oversee and facilitate

the region’s major projects, economic development

and tourism initiatives on behalf of Council.

“I’ve enjoyed working in public, private and

government sectors and find myself impressed with

the enthusiasm and vision of the Western Downs

Regional Council team,” Ms Holdsworth said.

Her first priority after commencing with Council

was to visit all the Customer Service Centres and

meet the people she will work closely with in her

new role.

“When I relocated to Dalby I experienced a

feeling of ‘coming home’ in a sense, as I found

the community to be so welcoming and my

colleagues so friendly.”

Currently studying her masters in business and

marketing Ms Holdsworth is a valuable addition

to Council and her energetic leadership will be

appreciated in this time of transition.

Council has appointed Aaron Meehan to the helm

of its busy engineering services team in the

Dalby Urban and Rural Districts as the new Area

Engineer responsible for overseeing the delivery

of maintenance and construction operations

across this district.

Mr Meehan has joined Council from the Whitsunday

Regional Council where he was Manager for Works

for the past three-and-a-half years. Prior to that, he

worked in the water and sewerage area at Warwick

Shire Council.

He comes to Council well credentialed for the

job. Mr Meehan holds an Associate Degree in

Civil Engineering from the University of Southern

Queensland and combined with over six years

experience working for local councils throughout

Queensland is an excellent addition to the team.

Mr Meehan said the opportunity to join Western

Downs Regional Council at a time of significant

change was very appealing and is looking forward to

contact Western downs Regional councilTelephone 1300 728 500 to

be connected to your nearest

Customer Service Centre.

All correspondence should

be addressed to:

The chief executive officer

po Box 551

dalby QLd 4405

By E-mail info@wdrc.qld.gov.au

Internet www.wdrc.qld.gov.au

You can contact the Western Downs Regional

Council in person at any of our Customer

Service Centres.

chinchilla 80 - 86 Heeney St

dalby 107 Drayton St

engineering 26 Wood St, Dalby

Miles 29 Dawson St

Tara 19 Fry St

Wandoan 6 Henderson Rd

the challenges of his new role.

“I feel privileged to be joining the engineering

services team and I look forward to collaborating

with Council staff and the community on key

future projects.

“Western Downs Regional Council has a reputation

as a good organisation to work for, one that values

its staff.”

The move to Dalby has allowed Mr Meehan

to further his career in the areas of works,

maintenance and civil construction.

“The role provides an opportunity to extend

my experience to building in a dry climate and

undertaking a broader scope of maintenance works

and civil construction operations,” he said.

Some of the future projects that Mr Meehan will

oversee include integrating Council’s two work

depots located in Dalby, developing Council’s five-

year consolidated works program and implementing

preventative maintenance programs.

8