Cr Cheryl Gaedtke – Ordinary Meeting 9 March 2022 – Councillor Report

 Cr Cheryl Gaedtke – Ordinary Meeting 9 March 2022

Agenda Item # 5 Matters of Public Interest

I wish to express heartfelt thanks to all emergency workers that have assisted in any way over the recent flood event. I also wish to acknowledge our Council Staff, local businesses, volunteers, community members, and Councillors who came together to assist and manage the flood emergency in many different ways.  Community members opened up their hearts, wallets and homes to help stranded travellers.  A huge thank you to Kilcoy Global Foods for transporting several boxes of groceries to the sixty odd stranded travellers on the eastern side of Kilcoy Creek.  I offer sincere condolences to family, friends, loved ones and colleagues of those people who have lost their lives during this natural disaster.

The feeling around this natural disaster was summarized by a stranded traveller who offered the following words upon returning home after spending four days in the Kilcoy Refuge Centre.  “……….You are all amazing, beautiful people. The kindness and generosity you shared towards us the ” flood stranded ” for 4 days was unbelievable.  Words cannot express how grateful we are for everything you did. Donations of food, clothing, beds, linen, accommodation, access to showers and bathrooms etc. Kilcoy is an incredible town full of beautiful, gracious people who work together to make things happen and have fun along the way. Hula hoop competition was great addition.  Proud to be an honorary local.  We have returned home safely and will never forget your hospitality. Thank you all once again”.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the many other communities located in Queensland and New South Wales, that are struggling through this challenging and heartbreaking time.

Agenda Item # 25   Councillors’ Report

February

23           Council Ordinary Meeting = Esk

23           Council Workshop – Esk

24           Kilcoy Recreation Grounds Committee Quarterly Meeting

27           Kilcoy Refuge Centre

28           LDMG Extraordinary Meeting – Teams

March

02           ALGWA Conference – Hosted by Whitsunday Regional Council

02           Combined Ipswich & Toowoomba District Human & Social Recovery Committee Meeting – Teams

02           Councillor Briefing with CEO – Teams

02          LDMG Meeting – Somerset – Teams

03           ALGWA Conference – Hosted by Whitsunday Regional Council

03           LDMG Meeting – Somerset – Teams

04           Combined Ipswich & Toowoomba District Human & Social Recovery Committee – Teams

04           Tour of flood impacted areas Kilcoy with ADF

05           Kilcoy Rodeo Assn Committee Meeting

07           LDMG Meeting – Somerset – Teams

08          Kilcoy Hospital Auxiliary monthly meeting

08           Kilcoy Tennis Club monthly meeting

08           Visit to flood impacted residents – Seib Street, Kilcoy

08           Kilcoy State High School P&C Meeting

Whitsunday Regional Council hosted the Biyearly Australian Local Government Women’s Assn. (Qld Branch) Conference, titled “Women Connected and Unshaken”.   Among very informative presentations and sessions, the delegates also learnt of recent poor treatment of Councillors and Senior Staff members.  It is a sad day when the public believe they have the right to target and threaten Councillors and staff when unhappy with council decisions. This attitude and associated threats and treatment of fellow human beings is totally unacceptable in our society.

Unfortunately, the Kilcoy Rodeo Assn. has made an unavoidable decision to postpone the rodeo which was to be held on Saturday 26 March.  The showgrounds cannot be brought to a suitable condition to continue with this date.  Locating another suitable date this year proved impossible, therefore we look forward to March 2023 to welcome and attend this great event.