Mayor Beresford's May 2022 Council meeting wrap-up

This month Paroo Shire Council held its monthly meeting at Yowah providing the opportunity for Council and residents to meet and discuss issues affecting the town. During the meeting Council resolved to provide support for the Yowah Opal Festival through the provision of equipment and a financial donation towards the cost of staging the annual event which will be held on the 15-17 July 2022. Our thanks to the Yowah community for hosting the May Council meeting.
 

Technology Upgrade for Cunnamulla

Under the Regional Connectivity Program, federal funding of $3,735,411 has been approved towards a project supported by all levels of government and submitted by NBN to upgrade the service technology in Cunnamulla from nbn Sky Muster Satellite to nbn fibre to the premises. This project, which will possibly take a couple of years to complete, will see the town receive a much faster internet and more reliable service. This will be a big boost to businesses and residents alike and provide a more attractive option for new businesses looking to establish or relocate.
 

Successful Grant Applications

The Council has been successful in obtaining a 50/50 grant to supply an ATV for the Yowah SES unit. This type of vehicle will be of great assistance with search and rescue operations due to its manoeuvrability over rough terrain. Another grant of $10,000 has been obtained through the Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program for WWII Commemorative Plaques. 
 

RADF Funding

Council endorsed the Paroo Regional Arts Development Fund Committee’s decision to approve a grant of $6,536.00 to Opera Queensland for a project entitled Composed in Qld which connects the local community with musicians to create new music written for, by and with the young people of Cunnamulla. The project is due to commence in July this year.
 

Upgrade to Mobile Phone Base Station at Eulo

On behalf of Telstra, Sitelogic has advised Council it is undertaking an upgrade of the mobile phone base station at Eulo to provide enhanced 4G and new 5G services to the Eulo area. The antennas and additional equipment will be located on the existing structure and within the existing Telstra compound in Echidna Street, Eulo and a resolution was passed supporting the proposed upgrade.
 

Wyandra Library

The Wyandra Library has been closed for the past six months due to ongoing staff shortages and during this time alternative library services have been available at both Cunnamulla and Charleville. Given these continuing challenges with staffing the facility, maintenance and operating costs, consideration has been given to permanently closing the library. In April Council commenced a community consultation campaign to obtain feedback on the proposed closure and following the results obtained, it was decided to leave the facility closed permanently. The Cunnamulla and Yowah Libraries will continue to provide library services to residents throughout the Paroo Shire.
 

END

For more information:

Cr Suzette Beresford, suzette.beresford@paroo.qld.gov.au, 0427 551 191 or
Kelly Schmidt, kelly.schmidt@paroo.qld.gov.au, 0472 870 774