Mayor Beresford’s November Council meeting wrap-up

Council Meetings

Paroo Shire Council will continue to hold its monthly meetings on the third Tuesday of the month during 2021. With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions the Council has recommenced holding meetings away from Cunnamulla. Eulo was the venue for the November meeting and in the new year the schedule includes Wyandra in February, Noorama in March and Yowah in April. This will allow for consultation with these communities prior to budget preparation for the 2021/2022 year.
 

Policies

A total of six policies were reviewed and adopted at the meeting including a new policy – Domestic and Family Violence Support. The Council is committed to providing a healthy and safe workplace and will contribute to this by fostering a workplace culture where employees affected by Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) are supported. The policy states that any form of violence, threats, force or intimidation is unacceptable in any form and setting, including the workplace. The Council will undertake to raise awareness of DFV throughout its workplace by providing regular communications and training to staff.
 

Bursaries

Council considered applications received for the three bursaries it offers each year. Year 6 students at the Sacred Heart Parish School are eligible for an R L Beresford Bursary to assist with education expenses as the student enters high school next year; a similar bursary is available to Year 6 students at the Cunnamulla P-12 State School and a Paroo Shire Council bursary is available to a student at the high school going into Year 8 next year. The successful applicants for these bursaries will be announced at the schools’ graduation/presentation functions in the coming week.
 

ICPA State Conference

From 31 May to 2 June 2021, the Cunnamulla Branch of the Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association will be hosting their association’s State Conference and 50th Anniversary at Cunnamulla where the first State ICPA was formed. Organisers anticipate the conference will attract between 200 and 400 visitors to the town and have approached the Council for assistance with the event. The Paroo Shire Council has agreed to provide a range of support measures and looks forward to working with the ICPA Committee to help achieve a successful conference.
 

Roads - Flood Damage Works

The Council roadworks crews are continuing to carry out flood damage work to roads in the south east area of the Shire. Local contractors will shortly commence work on flood damage in other sections of the Shire. It is anticipated this work will continue through the next eighteen months.
 

Yapunyah Lodge

The Council building known as Yapunyah Lodge, which is an aged care facility, will close at the end of December when Churches of Christ cease being the service provider for aged care in Cunnamulla. Council is currently considering the future possible uses for this building and will be engaging with other health service providers within the community to help decide on how the building could be best used and also how its operation will be funded.