Visits, BBQs to connect with Region’s towns

In an effort to better connect with residents living in towns across the Region, Toowoomba Regional Council has adopted a plan to continue regular visits from councillors as well as host a community barbecue or something similar.

A ‘community forum’ will also be considered at a later date, following further discussion and investigation.

Options put forward to councillors to hold an Ordinary Meeting of Council in regional towns including a breakfast or morning tea, ‘activated site engagement’ meaning booths at a local event or markets and town hall meetings, will not be pursued.

The regular visits from councillors occur on Fridays four times per year on a rostered rotation.

These visits can happen in three ways, a “Walk and Talk” focused on a casual approach, based in a town with a main street, where residents are going about their day-to-day life; a “Showcase” which focuses on talking about positive events, groups, and activities that are improving small town living; and an “Individual Conversation”, similar to the current format with planned appointment times supported by a Customer Service Officer.

The options aim to provide the opportunity for Councillors to lead their engagement through their format of choice that month and enable a variety of engagement styles that allow differing levels of input and engagement by Councillors.

Cr Tim McMahon said at a recent visit to Crows Nest, held at 11am on a Friday, zero residents came to a Councillor visit event attended by three Councillors.

He said he has attended several such visits lately that have had not any attendees.

The community barbecue is described an evening engagement option, to be held one night during the week at a local hall or park space, depending on weather, for the meeting.

This will be a community driven engagement with a local community member as MC and informal presentations delivered by community members (local chamber, sporting club and organisations) based on providing an update to Councillors on their community.

This would be followed by an opportunity for Councillors to circulate, chat with the local community.

It is aimed to be an ideal opportunity for local community engagement, activation of local facilities and financially supporting the local community/organisations.

Cr Carol Taylor said she prefers events where Councillors can meet residents in a ‘Walk & Talk’ and meet people on their terms and space, such as at local events.

Several Councillors agreed that these types of engagements have proven to be successful.

The engagement options were put to Councillors following a proposal put to Council in August last year by Cr Megan O’Hara Sullivan.

She proposed a meeting should be held once a quarter in regional townships on a rotational basis, with residents encouraged to make deputations at the meeting and to have the opportunity to talk with councillors informally.

This proposal was narrowly voted down and instead the decision for a range of options to be presented to councillors was proposed and passed.

Cr O’Hara Sullivan supported the option for a breakfast or morning tea before formal meetings, as this type of option shows the public that Council is serious and united (as all Councillors will attend) and creates awareness of one part of the region to the other.

Building on his experience with Community Cabinets as a Queensland MP, Cr Kerry shine proposed looking at a community forum style engagement option.

Church Services In Cambooya

UNITING CHURCH Good Friday 9am; Easter Sunday 10am

ANGLICAN CHURCH Good Friday 10am; Easter Sunday 10am

CATHOLIC CHURCH Holy Thursday 6pm – Last Supper Liturgy Easter Sunday 8am Mass

CATHOLIC CHURCH GREENMOUNT

We wish you a hoppy Easter!

Good Friday 3pm – Veneration of the Cross

We hope you get to enjoy some time with loved ones. Please be aware that some of our services and facilities operating hours change over the holiday period.

Waste facilities

Our waste facilities are closed on Good Friday, 7 April. All facilities will re-open Saturday, 8 April.

Household waste collection and wheelie bins

If your kerbside waste collection occurs on a public holiday, it is collected as normal. Please ensure your bins are kerbside by 6am.

For more information on waste services, visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/waste

Customer Service Centres

Customer Service Centres are closed from Good Friday, 7 April, until Easter Monday, 10 April.

If you require urgent assistance, please call our out-of-hours service on 131 872

131 872 www.tr.qld.gov.au

Aquatic and Fitness Centres

All pool and fitness centres are closed on Good Friday. To check individual centres for opening hours over the holiday period, visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/pools

Libraries

Toowoomba Region Libraries are closed from Friday, 7 April until Monday, 10 April.

You can access our eLibrary online 24/7 at www.tr.qld.gov.au/elibrary

For branch opening hours, visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/libraries

Art Galleries

Toowoomba Region Art Galleries are closed from Good Friday, 7 April and re-open Monday, 10 April. For opening hours, visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/galleries