By Jenel Hunt
In the final statutory meeting of the Southern Downs Regional Council before the 2024 local government elections, outgoing Mayor Vic Pennisi took the opportunity to insert some gratitude and recognition into the proceedings during his mayoral minute when he thanked councillors for their contributions to the Southern Downs region during the four-year local government term.
“We’ve been subjected to many challenges over the last four years and together we’ve got the job done,” he said.
“Beginning with Covid and the closing of the borders, the challenges faced with running the business, the economy almost coming to a standstill, you’ve all stepped up to the problems and with our officers we’ve found the solutions together.
“You’ll all remember that we were carting water to Stanthorpe at the start of the term and wasn’t it a relief when it did rain! However, the rain also brought floods and thousands of kilometres of road damage, culvert damage, bridge damage … you name it, we had it.
“Rebuilding our roads has been major focus since, and although we’ve allocated the biggest infrastructure ever over the last two years, there is still work to do.
“The most important people on earth are our farmers and we’ve seen them go through so much in this term. Drought, fire, floods, hail, frost, mouse plaques and low prices. You all stood shoulder to shoulder with them, helping them when and how we could. And of course, if they suffer, the rest of the community suffers.”
He listed the big – and often controversial – issues that had been tackled, including the library and art gallery projects in Stanthorpe, the Warwick Saleyards, the region’s ageing infrastructure, Condamine River Road, botanical gardens, cost of living challenges including the highest level of rises in input costs for many years, housing issues and youth crime.
“Despite criticism that occurred, you all stood your ground on these issues and ultimately we were united,” Cr Pennisi said.
I say thank you to each and every one. While there has been some commentary about division, overwhelmingly most decisions have been unanimous and I thank you all for that.”
He also recognised CEO Dave Burges for his ‘leadership at the helm of the organisation, stewardship, advice, counsel and wry humour’, and thanked directors, managers and all staff for the valuable contribution they had made to the organisation during the term.
“Thank you for your commitment to the region; you are the heart and soul of what we do for our ratepayers,” he said.
