FNQROC Update - June 2013

By: Darlene Irvine, Executive Officer...

Wow, May was an exciting month!  The team here has kicked some mighty goals last month and I have to say I am a little proud.  The team members will give you further details in their update items but as a snap shot:

1. We released the Regional Bitumen Reseal and Register of Prequalified Suppliers tender.  This tender closes on 4 June.  A great big thank you to all involved, we know it was a challenge not only to pull a program together but to do it so early in the year was a change in culture for all.  Well done!  I have no doubt there will be benefits not only for councils but for the industry as well.

2. Pestfest!  This was pulled together on the smell of an oily rag and I only have praise for Travis Sydes (FNQROC) and Michael Graham (Biosecurity) for coordinating this.  They arranged for two days of 20 minute presentations from a broad range of organisations.  The third day was dedicated to accredited training.  Each day brought more than 120 participants, more than 60 landholders and between 60 and 70 officers who received accredited training.  A benefit on top of this is the networking which occurred between staff and landholders across a vast area of North Queensland.  Thank you also to the sponsors of the event which allowed us the opportunity to present Pestfest free of charge.  It is envisaged this event will occur every two years.

3. Our Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS) expenditure is high!  Not only are we meeting this year's target but we have assisted other regions in the expenditure of their funding.  As a result we have been able to forward claim approximately $1.5 million from our 2013/14 allocation.  This not only supports the case to increase funding (recently cut) but it also will have a positive effect for us on the distribution split of funding under the new 'one bucket' model.  A big thank you to staff at Cairns Regional Council and Cassowary Coast Regional Council to have enabled this.

4. This month we see Daniela Gambotto come back from maternity leave to work two days per week!  Dani's main focus will be continuing the Streetlighting process and progressing the Cross Regional Events Group.  Both Dani and I will work together on Planning. 

At the end of May I had the pleasure of attending the FNQ&TS RDA road trip and meeting at Mt Surprise which included:

1. A tour and presentation at Consolidated Tin Mines SPM Processing plant (Mt Garnet).

2. A presentation of issues and possible solutions in the gulf savannah region at Undara Lava Tubes. Can I say, this place was absolutely amazing and in a beautiful location. I will certainly come back to stay for a couple of nights.

3. A presentation by Peter Anderson on the Strathmore Plan at Bedrock Caravan Park (Mt Surprise). Again, another great place to stay! 

One of the highlights of the month for me was getting to know the new CEO of Advance Cairns and having some frank discussions which I believe are important if we are to be a collaborative region.  We were also locked in a room together for a day with Rebecca Munroe (HR Dynamics) interviewing for the new Regional Economic Development Officer.  We set a difficult challenge for those short listed.  They had a presentation challenge and the topic was "With the introduction of China Eastern and China Southern flights, what are the leverage opportunities for areas outside of Cairns?"  This gave a good insight into their strengths and weaknesses and it turned out to be a very informative day.  I have to say, it is the first time I have walked away from an interview process energised rather than exhausted!

And last but not least, we say a sad farewell to Gerard Read.  Gerard has been consulting to us for the past six years and has attracted literally millions of dollars in funding to this region.  With Gerard's love for the Far North I doubt he will be a stranger in the future.  Thank you Gerard from all of us...and Scott you have big shoes to fill!

Council visits

I am starting to get into the routine of visiting Cassowary Coast Regional Council and Tablelands Regional Council on a monthly basis.  I hope to visit the other councils at least for a couple of days per year (if you would like me there for a special purpose let me know and I will make every effort to attend).

The idea is to engage with staff members whom I may not have seen for a while or have not met yet, and to understand what is happening in your area and where we (FNQROC) may be able to help.

This month: Cassowary Coast Regional Council (Innisfail) – Thursday 6 June 2013 and Tablelands Regional Council (Atherton) – Tuesday 25 June 2013