The inaugural conference of the Central Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (CQROC) was recently held in Emerald with great success.
The CQROC conference allowed members from Banana Shire Council, Central Highlands Regional Council, Gladstone Regional Council, Livingstone Regional Council, Rockhampton Regional Council and Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council to collaborate for the social and economic benefit of Central Queenslanders.
Chairman of the CQROC, Councillor Ron Carige, Mayor of Banana Shire Council, hailed the conference as a great success.
“I thank the Central Highlands Regional Council team for hosting a fantastic inaugural conference.
“The discussions were productive, presentations insightful and the hospitality was sublime!”
The conference included several key speakers from around the region including retiring Member for Gregory Vaughan Johnson who was the guest speaker at the conference dinner; Greg Hallam, Chief Executive of Local Government Association of Quennsland; and Councillor Bob Abbot, Deputy Mayor of Noosa Council.
Attending Mayors from all six member councils also signed a Memorandum of Understanding, committing to work together to advance the region as a whole.
A number of motions were debated and agreed upon.
An entertaining and informative panel provided their thoughts on topical local government issues such as the case for allowing postal voting for council elections, and the cases for and against having divisional or ward Councillors.
“Events such as these are critical for elected members and our senior managers to discuss and debate regional strategic economic matters, and how we can work collectively to meet the challenges and opportunities that local governments today are facing.”
CQROC is grateful to conference sponsors Telstra and JJ Richards for their support.
