Mayor's Message

The new calendar year of 2009 is now in full swing after the Christmas break. The recent rains were most welcome and will ensure a great season for the graziers and bring a level of renewed prosperity to our Shire. This is the best start for a season for 35 years. 1974 was the last time rain fell in such an even distribution. There has been some severe flood damage to the road network and this will be repaired as the country dries enough to allow Council plant and equipment to operate.

Council’s goals and focus are to completing all the scheduled 2008/2009 works program despite the delay in getting started with the rain. Works completed to date include:

  • Major roadworks on the Cork/Makunda Road,
  • The continuing upgrade of the Lark Quarry Road,
  • Flood damage roadworks
  • The Relining of the Winton sewers,
  • A new disabled toilet at the Rams & Ewes Elderslie Street Winton,
  • The completion the new Works Depot Sesbania Street Winton,
  • The completion of the Dino Road to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs complex,
  • The Desert Channels landscaping of Council Housing,
  • Waltzing Matilda Centre Desk Shade & Roof repairs to the Gallery & Billabong,
  • The purchased 2 residences from Main Roads,
  • Painting of the Lark Quarry Walkway,
  • Relocated the fence adjacent to the SES Depot,
  • Purchase a new grader,
  • The upgraded air-conditioning to the Council Meeting Room,
  • Rural addressing that is nearing completion,

 

 A major item of interest is the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Hon John Mickel MP Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations, the Minister for Main Roads and Local Government The Honourable Warren Pitt, the Mayor of Finders Shire and myself regarding the construction of a railway loop cattle loading facility at Winton and the ungrading of the Winton to Hughenden Road. Some $23m will be spent on this important road link.  

Council has also commenced the formulation of a Corporate Plan to carry the Council forward for the next 4 years. The Plan is expected to be completed in April/May and will involve extensive public consultation. A copy of the draft Corporate Plan is posted on Council’s web site and will be continually updated as the Plan is developed. The Corporate Plan formulation will be dovetailed with the 20/20 Vision. The Department of Local Government has provided $20,000 to prepare a Community Plan for Winton to the year 2020. A facilitator is to be selected and soon all organisations will be approached to participate.

The future looks very bright for the remainder of the year. The Flood damage will keep the work crews fully employed for many months. There are still a number of projects that will be finalised before June including the revamp of the Winton Aerodrome Terminal, improvement to the salesyards, the Winton library awning, the completion of the Winton Town Street Scape Study and completion of the Town Drainage Master Plan.   

It is hoped that this message to the Community will be updated every 3 months and become a regular feature of Council’s web site.

Ed Warren
Mayor

24th February 2009