Mayor Beresford's December Council Meeting Wrap-Up
Published on 17 December 2025
Mayor Beresford’s December Meeting Wrap-up
Welcome to a short summary of items from the December Council meeting held on Thursday, 11 December 2025.
To obtain more information, please refer to the Paroo Shire Council’s website www.paroo.qld.gov.au to view the full agenda and minutes of Council meetings.
Infrastructure Operations
Flood damage on TMR’s Bollon-Charleville Road has been completed and repairs to flood damage on TMR’s Eulo-Hungerford Roads is expected to commence early in 2026.
Construction to bitumen seal of 8km+ on the Jobs Gate Road has been completed, commencing at the NSW border. This work is funded jointly by Council and TMR and a further 3kms of construction to bitumen seal will be carried out in the new year funded under the Country Roads Connect program.
Council considered the assessment report from GBA Consulting Engineers for tenders received for upgrading floodways at the Widgeegoara Creek crossings on the Jobs Gate Road. In accordance with the recommendation, the tender was awarded to NQES Industries Pty Ltd for a cost of $683,192 (excl GST) to be funded under the Roads to Recovery program.
Libraries
Paroo Shire Council has been awarded two grants totalling $20,253 for the 2025-2026 year under the Digital Starter Grant Program. Yowah library will be allocated $10,004 and Cunnamulla library will be allocated $10,249 to strengthen existing programs, build digital confidence and continue to provide inclusive, modern services for all library users. Recent workshops organized by the State Library to provide valuable digital skill development for community members have been well attended.
Events
The Cunnamulla Fella Roundup for 2026 will have a change of format. It is proposed to continue the Outback Barrel Horse Circuit and then in the early evening have the Super Bull Show which is a Bull Riding and Motorcross 2 to 2.5 hour high adrenalin show. Further details on this new format will be advertised once arrangements have been finalised early next year.
John Kerr Park Precinct Master Plan
Council adopted the John Kerr Park and Cunnamulla Pool Master Plan Report and resolved to utilize the current Works for Qld allocation of $600,000 for the replacement of the existing ablution block in John Kerr Park including any ancillary works. The new ablution block will be sited closer to Louise Street as depicted on the master plan and the existing ablution block will be removed. This will allow for the next stage of works to be undertaken as part of the Cunnamulla pool upgrade program, i.e. building the new change rooms at the pool. Council will be undertaking a community consultation program in relation to the proposed staging of the upgrading works proposed under the John Kerr Park Precinct Master Plan.
Trustee Permit
Approval was granted to offer a Trustee Permit over Lot 87 on Crown Plan WELL5340 to Ag Nominees Pty Ltd for a period of three years at an annual fee of $1,255.50 indexed annually in line with Council’s annual rate increase for land under rating category 08 and the CEO was delegated authority to set appropriate conditions for the Trustee Permit. Council also resolved to support any application made by the Clements family for a Road Corridor permit on the Balonne Highway over section SR:054PARO.
Paroo Planning Scheme
The quotation from Reel Planning Pty Ltd of $95,000 (excl GST) has been accepted for the project Major Amendment – Paroo Shire Planning Scheme to be funded under the Qld Government Scheme Supply Fund. The project will include a housing needs assessment which will be used to inform amendments to the Planning Scheme aimed at progressing key initiatives outlined in Council’s Local Housing Action Plan and resolve issues identified in the current scheme to enhance overall effectiveness.
Community Housing
A Community Housing Program Strategic Plan 2025-2028 was adopted together with a Community Housing Rent Policy. Council currently manages 12 units and 1 house in Cunnamulla on behalf of the Department of Housing and Public Works. These documents will provide guidance in relation to Occupancy and Vacancies, Rent Compliance and Arrears, Maintenance and Council Responsibilities, Compliance and Disaster Preparedness.
Festive Season Closedown
Coming up to the Festive Season, on behalf of the Councillors and staff, I’d like to wish everyone a safe and happy Christmas and New Year. It’s time for a break and Council operations will close down from Monday 22nd December resuming on January 12th with the Council office re-opening on January 5th. Until then, take care and we’ll reconnect in 2026.
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