The last 12 months have proven to be a pivotal time for Mount Isa, and also another period of significant achievement for Council as we continue working towards the realisation of our long term vision for the city. The current economic activity has been a catalyst for development and growth in all sectors that has, in turn, created renewed confidence in Mount Isa as a city on the move.
With this in mind, Council undertook a number of large scale projects including the development of a new residential housing estate at Healy Heights, the construction of the multi million dollar multipurpose events complex at Buchanan Park, and began the planning and design process for the Leichhardt River Community Recreation Precinct.
Enhancement of the CBD has continued, with the completion of the Miles and West Street revitalisation, the refurbishment of the John Campbell Miles Memorial, and the transformation of Marian Street into Mount Isa’s own Rodeo Drive, complete with a tiled Isa Rodeo Walk of Fame.
But while Mount Isa City Council may have led by example, we did not reach these milestones on our own. A number of initiatives created opportunities for community engagement and development, particularly the Buchanan Park project which, through a partnership with Isa Skills, provided the chance for long term unemployed and indigenous jobseekers to develop skills and gain ‘hands on’ experience through community jobs plans.
When State Government funding of $3 million dollars was announced for the Leichhardt River Community Recreation Precinct, Council began a community engagement process to ensure the project was designed based on community ideas and expectations.
We also worked hand in hand with the Mount Isa Tourism Association, Outback at Isa and Outback Queensland Tourism to encourage the growth of tourism in the region, and provided support for local events including the Isa Rodeo, the Lake Moondarra Fishing Classic and the Mount Isa Business Awards.
So much has been achieved in the last year that it is impossible to make mention of it all. But instead of looking back it is time to move ahead, keeping in mind the philosophy that the future is not a place we are going; it is a place we are creating.
