Council Snapshot - 14 May 2025
Council Snapshots provide a brief summary of each Council Meeting to highlight the issues considered.
Residents can view the full agenda for each meeting, as well as watch Council meetings here. You can go straight to the relevant discussion by clicking the headline below.
Among the topics discussed at its meeting on 14 May were:
Youth Council | Concept Discussion at Councillor Workshop
Council gave in-principle support to the concept of establishing a Maranoa Youth Council. This initiative is aimed at empowering young people across the Maranoa to contribute to local decision-making, build leadership skills, and enhance civic engagement. Council will now explore and shape a draft policy before reconsidering the proposal at a future Council Meeting.
Development of a Maranoa Regional Council Employee Volunteer Policy
Council agreed to start developing a new policy that would allow Council employees to take up to two days of paid volunteering leave each year. This idea, brought forward by Councillor Davis, aims to support local volunteer groups and help address the decline in volunteer numbers across the Maranoa. A draft policy and costings will be prepared for consideration as part of the 2025/26 budget.
Application through Regional Arts Development Fund Program 2024/25
Council endorsed the RADF Committee’s grant assessment recommendation in supporting the Roma and District Eisteddfod – Regional School Workshop Committee for $3,800.
Maranoa Medical Bursary Program
Council adopted the Maranoa Nursing Advancement Bursary Program framework to be delivered in 2025/26. This program is aimed at engaging with and supporting nurses across the Maranoa to develop skills and work in the region.
Annual Review of Procurement Policy
Council adopted the Procurement Policy under the required annual review per s198 of the Local Government Regulation 2012. The review aims to make it easier for businesses and suppliers to work with Council.
Surat Water Allocation Update #4
Council received an update on the Surat Water Allocation for the 2024/25 financial year and will work with officers to continue to monitor water consumption levels on a regular basis and provide an update to the community. The next update will be presented to Council on the 12 June 2025.
Biosecurity Advisory Committee – Recommendation of Appointments
After an Expressions of Interest (EOI) process was conducted to appoint community representatives to the newly re-established Biosecurity Advisory Committee, Council approved the appointment of six community representatives. A full list of the appointed community representatives to the committee for the 2025/27 term will be announced following the successful nominee’s notification.
Funding Opportunity | Residential Activation Fund
Council endorsed the preparation and submission of an application under Round 1 of the Queensland Government’s Residential Activation Fund for the delivery of Stage 1 of the Police Paddock residential subdivision on Dargal Road.
Funding announcements are expected in July 2025.
Council is also exploring options to unlock residential land in regional towns, with a briefing on potential Council-owned sites to be presented in early 2025/26.