Download - Community Update August 2009
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.”
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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...
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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 [email protected]
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.
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