From the Mayor's Desk - Goondiwindi Region is first community in Queensland to reach 70% fully vaccinated target; 85% has had one dose

I want to start this column with a very well-deserved congratulations to Goondiwindi Region residents. I am extremely proud to confirm that our community is now the very first in Queensland to reach that magic number of 70% of over-15s to be fully vaccinated, with more than 87% having had at least one dose.*

This achievement cannot be overstated: not only are we setting the standard and leading the state in the national vaccine rollout, but on a local level, we’ve given our community an invaluable advantage and put ourselves in the very best possible position - especially ahead of the upcoming harvest. 

Border crossing and harvest update

I am continuing to meet weekly with the state government’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) and Transport and Main Roads (TMR), as well as Queensland Health, as part of the DAF Harvest Task Force. Council has been in close discussion with landholders and has strongly advocated for workarounds and solutions to border restrictions in the face of the imminent harvest. I am extremely pleased to confirm that as a result of Council advocacy we have been able to facilitate the following outcomes for harvest:

• The Talwood-Boomi crossing was opened last week for the local harvest and eligible border pass-holders (during daylight hours)
• The Queensland Police Service (QPS) has confirmed that the Keetah bridge crossing at Yelarbon will temporarily open to eligible border pass holders, likely from 25 October for four-to-six weeks (during certain daylight hours). More information to follow.

This is a fantastic result for local farmers on both sides of the border, with the potential to save hundreds of thousands of dollars in transport costs. We now have everything crossed for a bumper harvest ahead.

*NOTE – these openings are related to harvest and are therefore impacted by weather.  At the time of printing, QPS have advised that the Talwood- Boomi crossing is closed due to weather and reduced harvest movement, please visit the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Engagement Hub website for the latest information - https://daf.engagementhub.com.au/grain-harvesters

Local COVID-19 testing

I’d also like to encourage local freight, logistics and agriculture workers to use the Goondiwindi Caltex COVID-19 testing facility as required by their relevant border pass. With the requirement for 7-day rolling negative test results, we are extremely fortunate to have this facility on our doorstep as it eases the pressure on our local hospital resources. We need to continue to demonstrate the need for this facility in our community by using it as intended. As we know, regular testing and high vaccination rates will be the best way to ensure a smooth harvest ahead.

Funding for drought resilience now open

More good news now, as a new round of the Future Drought Fund’s Networks to Build Drought Resilience program is now open. I strongly encourage local community organisations and networks to apply for funding for events, activities, training and small-scale infrastructure that will assist our community to build drought resilience capacity. Interested organisations and individuals should apply directly to the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal: https://frrr.org.au. Applications close 15 November 2021.

Water security update

If you cast your mind back to this time in 2019, you might be struck by just how different things were then. Not only was ‘COVID-19’ yet unbeknown to the world, but we were also marching slowly into ever-worsening drought during one of the driest periods on record. By December of that year, Coolmunda Dam reached a historic low of just 1.67%.

Compare that to today: COVID-19 now dominates much of our daily life, but our yearly rainfall couldn’t be more different – the state government officially revoked our drought status in June, and Coolmunda Dam remains just shy of 100% capacity.

Since 2019, Council has invested more than $6.5 million to improve the region’s water security infrastructure and better prepare the region for future times of drought. We’ve worked extensively with SunWater, WaterNSW and the Queensland Government’s Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy (now Department of Resources) to identify, implement, and seek external funding for both short- and long-term solutions to secure and diversify the region’s water supply – with $1 million of Commonwealth funding going towards new bores. Some of these investments include:

• Goondiwindi: Two new Great Artesian bores installed; infrastructure upgrades at the water treatment plant
• Inglewood: New bore installed; infrastructure upgrades at the water treatment plant
• Texas: New bore installed (replaced existing bore)
• Yelarbon: New bore installed; new concrete reservoir constructed (more than doubled the previous capacity); new booster pump system installed for improved quality and water pressure
• Talwood: Two new concrete reservoirs constructed (increased the output capacity by 550 kilolitres)
• Toobeah: Additional pump installed; water storage capacity increased
• Bungunya: Desilted the Yarrilwanna waterhole; secured access to additional supply

We’re fortunate, at present, to be enjoying such a good year – but this investment means that even in future times of drought, no town will be left dry.

* Vaccine rates for ages 15 and over in the Goondiwindi Region LGA (as of 10 October 2021):

• 87.1% received dose 1
• 74.9% received dose 2