By Emily-Rose Toohey
The State Government’s Community Cabinet was held in Stanthorpe on 14 June and Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC) received a letter at last Wednesday’s council meeting acknowledging local issues and opportunities discussed with one of the ministers on the day.
In the letter, Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner MP said that he acknowledged that agricultural labour supply and accommodation was an ongoing issue for a number of regional councils throughout the state, including SDRC.
“I noted your suggestion of the sport and recreation Leslie Dam facility as a possible solution,” Mr Furner said.
“I also admire your proposal of the possibility of using TAFE college to upskill and using universities to deliver trade qualifications from these underutilised facilities.”
At the SDRC meeting, Cr Cynthia McDonald asked if there were any updates on the proposal in regards to using TAFE in this manner, to which CEO Dave Burges said there were ongoing discussions with ministers of State Government.
Furthermore, Mr Furner said he commended council’s investigation into investing in the region’s protein hub strategy, particularly the sheep and goat industries.
“I also noted your concerns around the fish passageways and related planning issues,” he said.
Cr Stephen Tancred said it was great that the fish passageways were on the agricultural minister’s radar.
Fishways are constructed onto large waterway barriers such as dams, weirs and tidal barriers, to help provide adequate fish movement across the barrier.
Alongside the letter from Mr Furner, there was another letter discussed and presented at council and the correspondence section was moved by Cr McDonald and second by Cr Sheryl Windle.
