From the Mayor’s Desk – 31 March 2026

Published on 31 March 2026

Texas school leaders take part in March Ordinary Meeting

Council’s March Ordinary Meeting took place at the Texas Memorial Hall last Wednesday, reflecting our ongoing commitment to bring Council business closer to communities across the Goondiwindi Region. By rotating Ordinary Meetings between Inglewood and Texas every six months, residents from all corners of our 19,000+ square kilometre local government area have the opportunity to engage with the decision-making process.

A highlight of this month’s meeting was the participation of Texas School leaders, Addison Irwin and Amelia Harvey, who joined us at the Council table. Their presence was a reminder of the promising future leaders emerging in our area and the importance of involving young people.

The next Ordinary Meeting outside of Goondiwindi is scheduled for September in Inglewood, and I encourage everyone to attend. Further details will be published closer to the time.

Governor of Queensland visit shines light on health, education, and agriculture

Council was proud to host the Governor of Queensland, the Hon Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, for a two-day visit to our region this fortnight. This is the second such visit to our region by Her Excellency, following a visit to Inglewood and Texas just after her appointment.

Health and wellbeing were cornerstones of her visit, with Her Excellency visiting Goondiwindi Hospital and also taking part in a well-attended early morning Community Wellbeing Walk along the Macintyre River.

At Goondiwindi State Primary School, the Governor spoke with students about her role as Queensland’s Head of State representative, sharing a book reading with younger pupils and encouraging thoughtful questions about democracy and leadership. Secondary students from Goondiwindi schools and Boggabilla Central School participated in a ‘Leadership Connect’ session at the Goondiwindi Cinema and Theatre, facilitated by the Speaker of the Queensland Parliament, the Honourable Pat Weir MP, where the Governor and I responded to a wide range of thoughtful questions from students. This was also attended by our State Member James Lister.

The Governor concluded her visit with a local cotton tour, where she noted the importance of Queensland’s $1 billion cotton industry and its vital role in supporting regional communities. Throughout her time in the region, Her Excellency did an outstanding job showcasing what it has to offer - an essential part of visits like these. We extend our sincere thanks to Her Excellency for her generosity and the time she spent in the region.

Fuel prices remain a significant concern for communities and businesses

The current issue with fuel in our region is very concerning. Price and supply issues are placing considerable strain on local households, businesses and industries.

While the factors driving these market fluctuations are global in nature, the effects are felt strongly, locally. The uncertainty surrounding future pricing only adds to the challenge, making it difficult to plan ahead.

As a local government, our authority is extremely limited, however, I have spoken to the Queensland Treasurer and Minister for Energy, David Janetzki MP, about our circumstances and have been in twice-weekly discussions with the Queensland Fuel Supply Coordinator, Bob Gee, informing him of the reality in our region and what is at stake. Our advocacy focus remains on supporting local suppliers, and pushing for equitable fuel distribution across the supply chain.

Importance of intensive animal industries in our region

This fortnight, along with Council colleagues, I had the privilege of visiting the Whyalla Beef feedlot, one of many outstanding animal feedlots in our region. Whyalla stands as one of the most advanced facilities in the southern hemisphere. With a licence to feed up to 75,000 head of cattle, Whyalla Beef is not only a leader in innovation but also a major local employer. This feedlot exemplifies the scale and sophistication of our region’s animal industries, which collectively manage hundreds of thousands of animals and provide direct and indirect employment to thousands of people, supporting livelihoods and contributing to the prosperity of our communities.

Torture on the Border goes for gold

A big, well-deserved congratulations to the committee, volunteers, and of course all the competitors who took part in last weekend’s Torture on the Border in Texas. It’s just terrific to hear that so many come together to support such a fantastic, iconic local event.

Events like this showcase the incredible spirit of our community and the unique experiences our region has to offer, and Council is proud to support Torture on the Border through our Community Grants Program. For more information on how to apply for funding for your event, visit:  https://www.grc.qld.gov.au/News-and-Community/Donations-and-Grants/Community-Grants-and-Donations

Local Disaster Management Group meet

Last week, Council hosted the regular half-yearly Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) meeting with representatives from Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Ambulance, Health, Education and other critical agencies and service providers. These biannual meetings are an important opportunity to share any updates between agencies, and they form part of our ongoing preparation for potential disaster management scenarios.