12 November 2021
While the 2020-21 Annual Report fulfils a legislative requirement to report on the Southern Downs Regional Council’s operations and performance, this year’s document reflects a promise to deliver and support a recovering region in the wake of drought, bushfire, flood and a global pandemic.
Balancing a conservative and realistic budget, Council navigated challenging times to stimulate the local economy with one of its largest capital works programs totalling $42.2m whilst also rolling out a raft of community-led recovery initiatives.
In adopting the report this week, Southern Downs Mayor Vic Pennisi said many significant decisions on milestone projects had been instrumental in guiding Council’s capacity and future vision to deliver services and capital expenditure to support a healing community.
“Council has steered its way through recovery from drought, bushfire, flood and pandemic, however the March rain event was a game changer for our region, our residents and our rural producers,” Mayor Pennisi said.
“With much uncertainty at the beginning of this financial year, fortunes changed following the rains and Council can look forward to a workable and sustainable project schedule to rebuild and grow the region.
“I am proud to adopt the 2020-21 Annual Report as it reflects Council’s achievements and highlights our financial, operational and corporate activities.
“Council staff have worked hard in these unprecedented times to continually deliver essential services and new projects to ratepayers as well balance the maintenance and upgrades to our aging infrastructure.”
A number of major decisions were made this year that will steer the region forward. Council decided to extend the footprint of the Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery and Library, redevelop the existing Warwick Saleyards and become a customer of Granite Belt Water.
The 2020-21 Annual Report is available for review at www.sdrc.qld.gov.au under Publications.
For all the latest Council news and information, download the ‘My SDRC’ App or visit www.sdrc.qld.gov.au. Alternatively, call 1300 MY SDRC (1300 697 372) or email mail@sdrc.qld.gov.au.
ADDENDUM: The 2020-21 Annual Report at a glance
Long-term water security also led the agenda with drought-proofing projects:
- Recycled water pipeline
- Dalveen reservoir refurbishment
- Bore rejuvenation and investigation
- Warwick Saleyards truck wash system upgrade
- Drought Resilience Program
- Warwick Wastewater Treatment Plant
- Market Square and Harris Sewerage Pump Stations civil upgrades
- Water quality monitoring improvement
Extensive capital projects were completed:
- Burial Walls, Stanthorpe Cemetery
- Learn to Ride Bike Track, Australiana Park
- Velodrome, Australiana Park
- WIRAC Group Fitness Room
- Stage 1 – Stanthorpe Park Run
- Town entrance signage, CWA notice board and promotion of heritage sites at Leyburn
- Inverramsay Road upgrade
- O’Deas Road upgrade
- Inverary Road upgrade
- Lock Street footpath
- Willow Street footpath
- Wallangarra footpath
- Brunchhorst Avenue upgrade
Other highlights include:
- Funded: Grants to Community - $209, 515.24
- Funded: 4 new public art murals
- Adopted: The Southern Downs and Granite Belt Events Strategy, The Economic Development Strategy and The Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2021-31
- Signed: Small Business Friendly Councils Charter
- Assessed: 262 new building applications
- Assessed: 360 new plumbing and drainage applications
- Assessed: 146 new planning applications
- Assessed: 26 new operational works applications
- Implemented: 36 waste education workshops in primary schools and kindergartens