Sean Dillon in Barcaldine, Queensland | Community organisation

Sean Dillon

Locality: Barcaldine, Queensland

Phone: +61 427 700 958

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24.01.2022 A message from Cr Dillon, Cr Gleeson and Cr Hansen following the Council Meeting on Wednesday 22 July 2020. Key messages: Barcaldine Swimming Pool Operation ... Lease for the former Barcaldine Information Centre Barcaldine Salesyard Management Proposed 2021 Public Holidays for the region See more

24.01.2022 It was extremely humbling to this morning lay a wreath on behalf of Barcaldine RC honouring the sacrifice of service men and women in the defence of this nation. The poignancy and personal nature of the entire service, especially the period for reflection during the Last Post, minute silence and Reveille truly allowed for people of all ages to consider the tremendous contribution that young men and women from across generations have made. 102 years since the Great War, 102 000 service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Lest We Forget.

23.01.2022 BARCALDINE REGION SCHOLARSHIP 2021 Barcaldine Regional Council, George Bourne & Associates, Consulting Engineers and Westech Field Days are honoured to announce... the recipients of the Barcaldine Region Scholarship 2021. The six outstanding recipients will use the scholarship to assist with furthering their education in their chosen field. The recipients for the Barcaldine Region Scholarship 2021 are: Hayley Cridge Lily Cullen Kaya Dean Chloe Richardson Madelyn Sparrow Danielle Taylor We received 15 applications for the scholarship, all of high quality and well-deserving applicants. The judges had a very difficult job of selecting the final recipients. All the applicants demonstrated their sound academic record and contribution to school and community. They showed a strong commitment to their educational studies. The calibre of applications for the scholarship was exceptionally high and we would like to commend all applicants as well as wish them well with their future studies. The 2021 recipients of the Barcaldine Region Scholarship will each receive a bursary of $4,000. Congratulations to the six recipients.

18.01.2022 Mayor’s Diary for Sunday November 8 Another busy week in the land of BRC. Summer certainly starting to make its presence felt with some warm days and a few isolated storms kicking about. Tonight’s update will be short with a lot of routine meetings this week as well as a gazette out that I gave a detailed update in. Commenced the week discussing the agenda for our first budget meeting for the 2021 year which is only a few weeks away. Met also on Monday with the Barcaldine Sta...te School to work through transportation issues surrounding their use of council’s bus and how a fleet change will affect them. Tuesday I met with Jane Williams and Anthony from CWHHS to discuss issues facing our MPHS and PHS facilities as well as health service provision directly. The CWHHS has some meetings planned with affected communities shortly and will also be attending our community forums at the end of the month as well. Was also fortunate enough to do some media relating to the Barcaldine Recreation Park. Wednesday was spent wading through the agenda for RAPAD and working on our policy review agenda with several key policies due for review before years end. Thursday saw me office bound again, this time working on action items from our last GM and more policy review an. Friday I attended the RAPAD board meeting with several issues of direct relevance to our communities discussed including affordable housing provision and the new DCQ Natural Resource Management plan (which all affected landholders and businesses should review and provide feedback into ASAP - go to the DCQ website for more info). Friday evening I was extremely fortunate to attend the St Joseph’s School Musical presentation of Beauty and the Beast along with my wife Sarah, daughter Kacee and my lovely mother Elsie. This presentation was simply outstanding and an unbelievable credit to the entire staff, students, families and supporting personnel. With incredible voices, humour and dance, as well as costumes and set, the production had it all. Fantastic to see the return of locally produced cultural activities as we attempt to return to some sort of normal level of social activities. Until next time cheers SeanD

17.01.2022 A message from Cr Dillon, Cr Peoples and Cr Plumb following the Council Meeting on Wednesday 18 November 2020. Key messages: Council to offer six parcels of r...esidential land at Mahogany Court, Barcaldine and six parcels of industrial land at Ironwood Drive, Barcaldine for sale by tender. Council to call for a Director of Works position Road naming in Alpha, Aramac and Muttaburra Renaming of the Barcaldine Town Hall Park to Rob Chandler Park See more

17.01.2022 Mayors Diary for 5 July 2020 This last week has seen a significant rise in the numbers of visitors to our region. With another week of school holidays left and the border reopening over the weekend, it will be interesting to see if the numbers are maintained across the next month. This week had a number of meetings relating to Council’s proposal to overhaul the Barcaldine Treatment plant with Minister Leanne Enoch (Minister for Environment and Science) who was also very int...erested to hear about our outcomes from being a part of the Communities in Transition program with an initiative likely to be developed by Christmas to boost tourism out of our normal season. The Premiers weekly teleconference reinforced the move to relax restrictions to allow community events (provided there is appropriate planning) as well as larger family gatherings and private functions. There will be further information available from Council’s website about venue planning and checklists are coming online through the state’s COVID dedicated website. This week council came together to complete some reviews and also met with Leo Peach from the BOM to discuss flood monitoring stations across the area and the suitability of the warning heights. RAPAD board meeting as well, discussing potential for improved digital outcomes for our communities as well looking to develop more opportunities in the regulated airline route space. The week ended with meeting with Danielle Taylor from Alpha Learn to Swim on some funding opportunities for infrastructure and drowning prevention awareness programs. Just a bit of advance notice that I will be conducting pop up offices throughout the week commencing 13th July, with Muttaburra on Monday, Aramac on Tuesday, Barcaldine Wednesday, Jericho Thursday and Alpha on Friday. Times and locations next weekend, feel free to catchup over the week or give me a call anytime. Cheers SeanD

16.01.2022 To all clubs/committees looking to return to some activity please look at this grant, could be extremely beneficial and help offset start up costs and improve minor facilities. Closes 7 August.... https://www.qld.gov.au//active-restart-infrastructure-reco

16.01.2022 A message from Cr Dillon, Cr Peoples and Cr Plumb following the Council Meeting on Wednesday 19 August 2020. Key messages: Tender awarded for the Aramac Showg...round Amenities Building Tender awarded for the Alpha Community Care Services Building Proposed Gazetted 2021 Public Holidays for the region See more

16.01.2022 Mayors Diary for Sunday 9 August Well this was the week for regional meetings, with all the Mayors of the RAPAD Region and their respective CEO’s gathering in Barcaldine from Monday through until Wednesday for several meetings. Monday started with a meeting of the Central West Pest Management Group with updates received on projects underway across our region and a call out for identified projects for next year to be brought forward. We were also fortunate to have the board o...f the Central QLD Regional Development Australia in town for meeting and presentation to RAPAD, along with a briefing from Senator Susan McDonald on federal issues. Lovely dinner at the Country Motor Inn for RDA Board Members and RAPAD Directors. Tuesday commenced with our Regional Road Groups and Sewerage/Water Alliance Meetings. Of note for our area was an ongoing project to upgrade the telemetry and control units connected to Water Supply Assets and the identification of the Barcaldine Aramac Road as the next project for TIDS funding when BRC’s turn comes next for significant dollar investment in State Roads. The RAPAD Board continued to meet until late afternoon when we broke for a meeting of the new Board of Red Ridge, a terrific regional arts initiative that is really achieving big things for the emerging art scene in Australia. BRC & GBA hosted the RAPAD & Red Ridge Boards for Dinner at The Globe, which consisted of a perfect meal prepared by Cheryl Thompson and her amazing team. Wednesday saw the conclusion of the RAPAD Board Meeting with a teleconference with the Premier relating to the closure of the Border with NSW and ongoing COVID 19 matters. Wednesday night I attended a meeting of the Alpha Rodeo Association to discuss events moving forward. Thursday worked from the home office, preparing for the upcoming review of the Procurement Policy. Friday was in Alpha (after a nice little dust settling shower of rain), inspecting the Alpha Showgrounds facilities with a view to future expansion requirements and participating in a range of Zoom teleconferences as well as inspecting the works to revitalise the original Alpha Cemetery. Saturday my wife and I attended the funeral of the late Peter Gleeson, a true gentlemen and legend of the district. Sunday was quiet in anticipation of a busy weekend ahead, late notice for Aramac but I will be in town tomorrow for a few hours to inspect a few facilities if anyone would like to have a chat please give me or the Aramac office a call.

16.01.2022 Mayors Diary for Sunday 23rd August 2020 Another week goes by, with more talk of the dreaded COVID 19 rearing its head, fingers crossed the authorities can quickly contain this outbreak. I was extremely humbled this week by the diligence and extreme work ethic of our staff and the practical and attention to detail that councillors displayed in their considerations and discussions. It is privilege to be a member of the team and my thanks to all involved. The week started with... a series of meetings in the regional office to further thrash out the costings on the two projects I referred to last week, with a path forward being identified. Also met with Steven and Brett to establish the framework for our upcoming review of the Procurement Policy. Tuesday I represented council along with several councillors and senior staff at the commemoration for Vietnam Veteran’s Day in Barcaldine. A moving service followed by lunch where we heard from the RSL North Qld Zone President Garry Player. The afternoon concluded with a meeting with local business woman Cheryl Thompson to discuss a range of topics relating future growth in the Barcaldine Region. Senior staff and I then held a working dinner with DNRME staff to discuss land tenure and water issues relating to our region. Wednesday was the August General Meeting, a big meeting with tenders being awarded to Ausco to construct the Aramac Showgrounds Amenities Facility and to Jenco for the Alpha Community Services Building. Council very diligently deferred projects and amended the budget to ensure the updated costings will have no impact on the bottom line. A massive thanks to the volunteers from Barcaldine Aged Care who slaved away to provide council and staff with a fabulous morning tea and hot lunch. Following the meeting Steven Brett and I presented to the credit review team from Queensland Treasury Corporation and gave them an inspection of the facilities that require urgent upgrades, chiefly the sewerage treatment plant in Barcaldine. Dinner once again with our visitors, the team at The Motor Inn aren’t doing my figure any good at all, two magnificent dinners in a wonderful setting, watching hundreds of cattle enroute to market turning the corner and heading south. Thursday morning commenced early with a meeting with the Chair of the BRC Pest & Wild Dog Advisory Committee to discuss a federal government funding opportunity and other committee matters and then off to Mackay with Steven for a meeting of the Regional Waste Management Group of Councils on Friday. A really good meeting which saw the rules amended to include RAPAD as a member of the executive committee and networking on strategies relating to waste management for local governments. I met further with Deputy Mayor of Rockhampton Regional Council to discuss a future meeting and the East-West Airlink. More on that in a few weeks. Cheers for now SeanD

14.01.2022 Come west the drinks are on us! There's still time to clear the COVID cobwebs out and visit the central west. The region is ready to welcome you ... so much so ...the drinks are on Remote Area Planning and Development Board Chair Mayor Tony Rayner well that's according to the Mayors of Blackall-Tambo Regional Council Events Boulia Shire Council Barcoo Shire Council Barcaldine Regional Council Winton Connect - Winton Shire Diamantina Shire Council Longreach Regional Council Outback Qld Marketing Network Experience Outback Queensland, Australia, Outback Aussie Tours Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre Qantas Founders Museum, Longreach, Queensland Australian Age of Dinosaurs Waltzing Matilda Centre Birdsville Hotel Min Min Encounter & Boulia Visitor Information Centre Tambo Teddies @Birdsville Race Club Inc The Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival Outback Festival, Winton Queensland Australia Outback Paddle Regatta Festival Camden Park Longreach Better in Blackall Festival Red Dirt Tours Kinnon & Co. Cobb & Co Tours @Mitchell Grass Retreat Krista Hauritz

12.01.2022 Some very good work in this, its time for both levels of government to throw convention out and recognise Drought for what it really is and then the management will be easier and more meaningful.

12.01.2022 Fantastic news, continues to show the significance of regional Queensland’s contribution and that both levels of Government with the funding powers are realising that fact.

12.01.2022 Mayors Diary for Sunday 30th August 2020 Well this week certainly saw the late Winter/Autumn winds arrive, our windmills were all working overtime!! I was able to get out and around on Monday with visits to Aramac to catch up with various industry and government representatives as well as inspecting the Aramac Showgrounds with Cr Peoples with a view towards expansion. Was able to meet up with Cr’s Gleeson and Plumb to tour the Coreena Road with Steven and Rick. ... This week we were fortunate to host a delegation from the Queensland University of Technology. Over Tuesday and Wednesday they were able to both present to council and receive a comprehensive tour of the district. We are working towards a comprehensive partnership between us over the next few weeks. This partnership will aspire to provide both employment and innovation progression as our region continues to seek diversification and inject resilience into its economy and community structure. As mentioned over the last month we have returned to weekly Covid Action Meetings. Given the concerns locals have raised directly with me this prudent action will ensure that if/when we have an outbreak, our team will be ready to respond. Traceability and personal hygiene continue to be the central themes in this respect with appropriate physical distancing. I was also fortunate to join with BRC senior staff as we routinely met with our valued partners in Central West TMR to discuss the forward schedule of works and issues that may need addressing over the foreseeable future. A productive meeting with several substantial programs to be delivered on over the next 2 years that will significantly deliver on road safety initiatives when completed. I also discussed this week with staff the need to assist to the fullest extent possible community groups to recommence hosting events which allows members of the public to attend and socialise. Should any groups require assistance, please contact your local district manager or myself for guidance. We are acutely aware of the need to help communities to restart social interaction, even if the parameters governing this have changed somewhat. I have had the misfortune of losing a close and much loved member of the family lately. A different schedule to normal as a result last week and next, but the business of council rolls on and I am looking forward to the big weeks approaching council over September and October.

12.01.2022 Mayors Diary for Sunday 22 November Well travelled this week and extra busy as we commenced budget planning and a whole host of other key meetings. Monday commenced with a policy formulation session with councillors in Barcaldine. Among the policies discussed was the commencement of of the development of our Corporate Plan. This is the key document which will spell out the direction and intentions of council for the next 4 years. Public consultation on this will be in Januar...y/February next year. Tuesday was a full day budget and road/street strategy meeting. Expenditure will be identified over three years to provide clarity to our suppliers and external contractors around intentions and build timeframes. More details from this will be available at our Community Forums in a fortnight. Wednesday was General Meeting day. You may have seen our update on this already, long day with several key decisions undertaken. Following the meeting we received a delegation from the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) to discuss regional issues and strategies to overcome them. Enjoyed a fantastic dinner at the Motor Inn with the LGAQ team and cheered on the Maroons to a famous victory. Thursday early start to travel to Townsville with our CEO and Director of Works for a meeting of councils known as LAWMAC (Local Authority Waste Management Advisory Committee) to discuss regional waste (rubbish) initiatives. This meeting continued on Friday where I was elected to fill the newly created spot for a RAPAD delegate on the Executive. Preparing for a week in Brisbane this coming week for meetings with Director Generals’ and RAPAD Board meeting. Cheers SeanD

11.01.2022 Mayors Diary 28 June 2020 Well I hope I get the dates right tonight and we don’t jump forward in time!! The last few weeks have seen time disappear as I moved from a week of meetings in Longreach, Brisbane & Toowoomba to a week of meetings in Barcaldine and Longreach. My apologies for missing on last week’s entry however I was supporting members of the family through a medical evac. To summarise that week, Steven Boxall and I had extremely productive meetings with several se...nior government ministers and departmental staff on a range of issues, the product of which I hope to share in weeks to come. Two other meetings with QUT and the Wagner Group also hold a lot of promise for our region, as we move into a development phase with both resources and renewable energy. This week highlighted the diverse nature of local government. Ranging from decisions about utility relief for COVID affected enterprises to hosting the premier and adopting a budget, this week had it all. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was a very welcome guest to the area. The Premier was very engaged in the issues facing our patch and delivered rewarding announcements surrounding Wild Dog Fencing. Our budget was adopted this week. A very solid financial document was adopted, with really only one controversial inclusion, surrounding the issue of plant in the Aramac Muttaburra District. The foreshadowed truck variance to enable water and material cartage was approved after substantial debate and consideration. At our meeting on Wednesday council also adopted a relief measure for businesses affected by the COVID shutdown, waiving 25% of their annual sewerage charges. Hopefully this can assist businesses with their cash flow through these unpredictable times On Friday I attended a meeting of regional councils on the issue of waste management in Rockhampton. It was great to catch up with councillors from both Rockhampton and Central Highlands after the meeting to discuss furthering our interests around a variety of issues. Please check this weeks edition of the Galilee Gazette to find my scheduled visits to all towns in July to discuss the budget and issues generally. Until next week all the best and here’s hoping for more mild weather!

09.01.2022 INTERRUPTIONS TO BARCALDINE WATER SUPPLY Residents of Barcaldine are advised that Council will be conducting maintenance on town water mains to improve water qu...ality from Friday 11 September to Monday 14 September 2020. Additional days may be added to the program of works and this information will be advised. The program of works will be conducted between the hours of 7.00am and 5.00pm and Oak Street will be serviced on Sunday 13 September 2020. There will be interruptions to water supply during this time. It is our intention with this program to limit the time without water to 2-3 hours. The internal taps should not be turned on whilst the supply to your premises is disrupted. At the completion of the cleaning program when the water supply resumes, you may notice that the water is milky looking. This is not harmful. It is only air bubbles trapped in the water and it will come clear after a short period. Please ensure you have sufficient drinking water during this time. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact the Barcaldine Administration Office on 07 4651 5600.

08.01.2022 RAPAD is calling on candidates this state election to commit to courageous leadership and ongoing investment to continue to back this regional initiative $2.25...M over four years to grow a new manufacturing centre and industries built on RAPAD’s world-class renewable energy resources In partnership with renewable energy leader Professor Ross Garnaut AC, as well as other commercial partners, RAPAD is backing itself to make this vision a reality by developing the Barcaldine Renewable Energy Hub which will: create a minimum of 200 new long-term full-time jobs; increase the local population by 38%; deliver a regional economic benefit of $41M per annum and an annual wage increase in the region of $16.2M; and generate a robust segment of the local economy which is immune to drought conditions. Director Sean Dillon Mayor of Barcaldine Region will take out through it. @Longreach Regional Council Barcoo Shire Council Winton Connect - Winton Shire Blackall-Tambo Regional Council Events Boulia Shire Council Diamantina Shire Council Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) @Queensland Labor LNP - Liberal National Party Lachlan Millar MP @Katter's Australian Party @Queensland Greens

08.01.2022 Mayors Diary for 16th August 2020 Well another week flies by in the crazy year that is 2020. I started the week in Aramac, catching up with local businesses and ratepayers. I can report that things are ticking along ok in Aramac, tourist numbers certainly helping out. Excellent cup of tea from Mrs Marshall and a fantastic burger from The WhiteBull Roadhouse. Also had a phone meeting with the BOM regarding flood classifications. Something a lot of our locals are wishing for i...Continue reading

07.01.2022 Mayor’s Diary for 12 July 2020 Monday this week was spent working with the Premier’s office to develop a workable plan which may see the return of community events such as campdraft, rodeo, bush sports etc. Whilst the developed plan isn’t situation normal, when worked in conjunction with the local police it may allow events to return in some form very soon. A large thank you Director General David Stewart and Deputy DG Shannon Cook for their diligence and close assistance in ...this matter. Tuesday was busy in office working through correspondence as well as a meeting with a local property owner about town planning issues. This is huge issue that council will be commencing on from the 20 July, combining the 3 amalgamated councils town planning schemes into 1. It will have an effect, hopefully largely positive, on nearly all ratepayers but when the information comes out I urge all of you to review it when you can and provide us with some feedback. Wednesday had a phone call with Deputy LGAQ CEO Sarah Buckler to discuss the state of play in our area and what issues are emerging as front runners in the lead up to the state election and beyond. This was followed up by a really good meeting of the Western Queensland Local Government Association. There is a meeting of all Western Councils in Longreach in late July which will outline the future of lobbying from our area as far as local government is concerned. Thursday I was formally inducted as the Chair of our Local Disaster Management Group, which whilst a formality is important in the context of our disaster preparedness. Friday was a full day in Alpha with a meeting with Kath Timms and Wayne Rostrun (Alpha Tourism Assoc) to discuss the Old Alpha and Pinehill Cemetery projects. Despite a few hiccups all is progressing very well and I asked the Tourism Association to work with the Alpha State School to provide some options to rename Cemetery Drive. This was followed up with a Zoom meeting with Kristy Sparrow from BIRRR to work on possibilities for improved internet connectivity across the region, especially in Aramac and Muttaburra where the reliability and bandwidth is extremely substandard. Off to Emerald on Saturday to collect some heifers purchased from the Gindie area and then Sunday was busy getting the kids ready to head back to the weaner paddock! Holidays seem to fly faster each time. I have been humbled by the response to these short snaps of the week that was. I always strive to just hit the highlights of each day/week, so more routine meetings/calls may get overlooked and some weeks are quieter than others. This week I will be in all communities during the day, feel free to catch up for a chat. Muttaburra on Monday before 12.00pm, Aramac after 11.30 on Tuesday until late (note this is a change from the advertised visit due to a commitment with CWA in Barcaldine early in the morning), Barcaldine Wednesday (at both offices there) Jericho on Thursday after 2 pm and Alpha on Friday.

07.01.2022 A message from Mayor Sean Dillon regarding the adoption of the 2021 Budget. To view the full budget, please click here https://bit.ly/2O3MPOb.

04.01.2022 Do you agree with Council’s proposal to appoint Wednesday 8 September 2021 as the Gazetted Public Holiday for Barcaldine? Please note, feedback is being sourced throughout the community so this poll is not the only place from which the decision will be determined.