Last week Deputy Mayor Michelle Wright, Director of Corporate Service Jason Bradshaw and I attended the 2024 National General Assembly of Local Government (NGA) in Canberra.
This assembly brought together leaders from councils across Australia, providing an invaluable opportunity to explore innovative solutions to the challenges we face as local governments.
As well as attending the National Assembly I also stepped up our advocacy efforts by pre-arranging face to face meetings with Catherine King MP (Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government), Speaker of the House Milton Dick, Senator Nita Green (Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef), Senator Anthony Chisholm (Assistant Minister for Education and Regional Development) and Senator Susan McDonald (Shadow Minister Resources and Northern Australia. In addition, I managed to secure meetings with senior advisors to Senator Don Farrell (Minister for Trade and Tourism).
Following the recent tragic bus and caravan head-on collision at Gumlu the hot topic was disaster resilience and the urgent safety upgrades required on three major routes in our region.
Floodproofing Hamilton Plains and Goorganga Plains to allow connectivity to our airport and Airlie Beach and Proserpine’s only hospital has been on the drawing board and promised funding for years, but still our Whitsunday community remain disconnected during Cyclone and flood season.
I was also advocating for assistance to seal the remaining 68km of the Bowen Developmental Road between Collinsville and Belyando Crossing which is a major freight route and key connection road for mine workers.
The multiple meetings allowed me to engage face to face on a range of challenges facing our Whitsunday region which is the fastest growing local government area in North Queensland.
With latest figures showing that 50 per cent of tourists visiting the Great barrier Reef come via our Whitsundays it is important that our infrastructure upgrades keep pace with our growth.
Added to our population boom, we have recorded 10 per cent annual growth for passenger numbers transiting through Whitsunday Coast Airport and 30 per cent annual growth in passengers visiting by cruise ships.
I am passionate about engaging with federal and state representatives to advocate for the needs of our region.
The 2024 National General Assembly of Local Government reaffirmed the vital role that local governments play in shaping the future of our communities and the importance of strong partnerships between local, state, and federal governments to drive positive change and secure the necessary resources for our residents.
Mayor Ry Collins and Deputy Mayor Michelle Wright standing with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Photo supplied
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