13 June 2008
* Water Reform Program - Administration Officer
6 June 2008
South East Queensland mayors are calling on the Federal Government to help fund projects in a revised infrastructure plan for the region, the $107 billion South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program (2008-2026), released on Tuesday by the State Government. FULL STORY
21 May 2008
Mayors to continue work with agriculture industry
South East Queensland mayors will continue working with the agriculture industry to ensure it remains economically viable and sustainable, despite facing increasing pressures from rapid population growth and urban development in the region. FULL STORY
22 April 2008
Land supply not the issue - SEQ Mayors
A profit hungry development industry is a major cause of the South East's housing affordability woes not a lack of land supply according to SEQ Mayors. FULL STORY
11 April 2008
Mayors identify regional priorities
The Council of Mayors (SEQ) met for the first time following local government elections and amalgamations. FULL STORY
14 February 2008
SEQ Switches Off
All SEQ Councils will participate in Earth Hour on 29 March. The WWF led event highlights the affects of climate change.
FULL STORY
For more information on the event have a look at the Earth Hour website www.earthhour.org
8 February 2008
SEQ Mayors call for exit plan
The Council of Mayors (SEQ) called on the Queensland Water Commission to publish an exit strategy. FULL STORY
25 November 2007
Mayor Opens First Rail Trail
The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail between Moore and Linville officially opened on 25 November. The trail is one of nine priority trails identified and lobbied for by the Council of Mayors (SEQ) and delivered under the SEQ Regional Recreation Trails program. At 148 kilometres the rail trail will ultimately be one of the longest rail trails in Australia and will provide recreation opportunities for walkers, cyclists and horse riders to enjoy the natural beauty of the region.
Pictured below at the opening are Kilcoy Shire Mayor Cr Terry Dredge and Esk Shire Mayor Cr Graham Lehmann. As well as some cyclists enjoying the trail.
20 November 2007
Mayors from Caboolture, Pine Rivers and Redcliffe host business breakfast
Cr Yvonne Chapman, Cr Alan Sutherland and Cr Joy Leishman (pictured) took the fight for water asset compensation to 120 local business leaders this morning.
The three Mayors joined forces this morning to urge business leaders to join councils in lobbying local MPs and the State Government for fair compensation.
14 November 2007
SEQ Mayors open new front on fight for fair compensation
South East Queensland Mayors take the battle for fair water asset compensation to local business leaders.
FULL STORY
26 October 2007
Great Water Swindle
South East Queensland Mayors have labelled the State Government's take over of bulk water assets the "great water swindle".
The Council of Mayors (SEQ) is calling on the State Government to honour their commitment to fairly compensate councils for their assets.
FULL STORY
12 October 2007
Invitation to Tender - Now Closed
Tenders have now closed for a qualified consultant to prepare an Options Paper to consider issues associated with future arrangements for water supply retailing, consistent with the Queensland Government’s institutional reform model. The aim of the paper is to provide advice to councils considering whether or not they wish to own a retail water business under the new institutional model.
A decision on the successful tenderer is expected to be made by 26 October 2007.
5 October 2007
SEQ Mayors call for fair and just compensation
The Council of Mayors (SEQ) are seeking compensation that adequately reflects the value of Councils water assets such as dams, large pipelines and treatment plants, which are being taken over by the State Government as part of the water reforms.
Councils have completed an independent, expert valuation of their bulk water assets and they are approximately $6 billion.
FULL STORY
10 September 2007
South East Queensland Exceptional Produce
The Council of Mayors (SEQ) promoted the diversity and superior quality of the region’s export quality produce, through their sponsorship of the Asia Pacific Cities Summit held in Brisbane recently.
An initiative of the Council of Mayors (SEQ) Advancing Rural Communities Taskforce, a stand at the Summit displayed the exceptional produce of South East Queensland to an audience of international Mayors and business delegates. The Council of Mayors (SEQ) involvement in the Summit meant businesses were able to connect with exporters and international business delegations in the hope of facilitating export to countries within the Asia Pacific region.
South East Queensland is a premier region in Australia for agriculture, horticulture, floriculture and aquaculture, all of which play a part in economic development and the continued sustainability for rural and regional communities.The diversity of the region’s agricultural industry was also highlighted in the range of food served to visiting international and interstate Mayors at the Council of Mayors (SEQ) luncheon.
The Council of Mayors (SEQ) donated all excess fresh fruit and vegetables from the stand to the Ozcare Hostel, South Brisbane. The hostel serves over 350 meals a day to people in need.
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Top left:
SEQ Mayors at Asia Pacific Cities Summit.
Left and above:
Council of Mayors (SEQ) Exceptional Produce stand. |
10 September 2007
Council of Mayors (SEQ) initiative will assist Councils to prepare for future growth.
The Council of Mayors (SEQ) and the Office of Urban Management commissioned a study of population, employment and economic projections for the region. The study will help Councils accurately forecast growth.
Councils are currently developing Local Growth Management Strategies, to meet the requirements of the South East Queensland (SEQ) Regional Plan, these strategies outline future residential growth against targets set within the Regional Plan.
The study, conducted by the State Government’s Planning Information and Forecasting Unit, allows Councils to use a common information source to set population, dwelling and demographic forecasts. For more information please read the Projection of Demographic Indicators report.
4 September 2007
Water Reform won't create more water: SEQ Mayors
SEQ Mayors welcomed the State Government's decision to delay the implementation of water reforms until 2010.
The Council of Mayors (SEQ) said it ends a long period of uncertainty for water employees. However, the reform would not bring one additional drop of water to the region.
FULL STORY
24 August 2007
Drive for better roads steps up a gear
The Council of Mayors (SEQ) launches a radio advertising campaign. The South East Queensland Mayors want a massive cash injection to upgrade the region's national roads.
FULL STORY
10 August 2007
Council of Mayors (SEQ) 2006/2007 Annual Report
The Council of Mayors (SEQ) released their Annual Report for 2006/2007 at their Annual General Meeting on 10 August 2007. A copy of the report is available here - 2006/2007 Annual Report.
25 July 2007
Housing Affordability - a positive step
The Mayors of South East Queensland welcome the State Government's Housing Affordability Strategy as a step in the right direction, but stress that more can be done to ease the burden on homebuyers across the region.
FULL STORY
26 June 2007
Council of Mayors (SEQ) Response to Water Reform Agenda
The Council of Mayors (SEQ) have made two submissions to the Queensland Government in response to the Queensland Water Commission report "Urban water supply arrangements in SEQ: Final Report", which was released on 24 May 2007.
Submission - 6 June 2007
Supplementary Submission - 26 June 2007
A link to the QWC report is available here.
26 June 2007
SEQ Mayors lobby for major Federal roads funding
South East Queensland Mayors are pushing for a greater share of national roads funding and calling on Federal and State Governments to address the funding imbalances of the past.
The Mayors of the 18 SEQ Councils are united in their quest to get a fairer share of the $22.3 billion AuslinkII road package.
FULL STORY
15 June 2007
Council of Mayors (SEQ) opposes plans for a nuclear facility in SEQ
The Council of Mayors (SEQ) supports Caboolture Shire Council in their opposition to a nuclear facility in Caboolture.
Following a report on the ABC the Federal Government has admitted discussions have occurred for a nuclear enrichment plant in Australia, but the Government says the plans are in their infancy. Caboolture has been identified as a possible site for a nuclear enrichment plant.
22 May 2007
Federal funding needed for broadband rollout across South East Queensland
Townships including 16 Federal electorates would benefit from a bold proposal by the Council of Mayors (SEQ), ConnectSEQ consortium, which will roll out fibre optic cable to regional areas in South East Queensland. FULL STORY
19 May 2007
Inaugural meeting for ConnectSEQ
ConnectSEQ Chair, Mr James Strong (second from right) was joined by other board nominations Major General Peter Arnison and corporate identities, Stephen Bradley and Bronwyn Morris, pictured from left to right below. FULL STORY
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| From left to right, Major General Peter Arnison and Mr James Strong pictured with Kilcoy Shire Mayor Cr Terry Dredge, Caboolture Shire Mayor and ConnectSEQ Taskforce Chair Cr Joy Leishman and Maroochy Shire Mayor Cr Joe Natoli |
11 May 2007
Business leader supports push for next generation broadband in SEQ
Mr James Strong has backed ConnectSEQ's proposal to provide one in seven Australians with 50+ megabits per second (Mbps) open access to a next generation broadband network.
FULL STORY
1 May 2007
Red tape shredded for council customers
Councils across South East Queensland (SEQ) have completed a $10 million program to reduce red tape in two crucial areas - development assessment and environmental health.
The Regulation Reduction Incentive Fund (RRIF) SEQ program was part of a regional push to set new standards and provide customers with web-based access to more information.
It aims to bring in regional benefits worth $90 million through fast tracking development assessments, standardising business regulations and improving access to property information.
FULL STORY
16 February 2007
Mayors Welcome Funding for SEQ Roads
South East Queensland Mayors have welcomed the proposed AusLink II funding from the Federal Government for key national roads in the fastest growing region in Australia.
FULL STORY
23 January 2007
Mayors Welcome Regional Trails Funding
The 18 Mayors of South East Queensland have welcomed the announcement by the Acting Premier and Minister for Infrastructure Anna Bligh of an $8.8 million package to develop SEQ recreation trails.
The Council of Mayors (SEQ) Chairman, Cr Campbell Newman, said that a network of recreation trails across South East Queensland would contribute greatly to the health and wellbeing of residents and provide opportunities for tourism.
“The Councils of the region have been working hard with the State Government to plan and develop a network of recreation trails across the region, including co-funding of feasibility studies.
This funding will take us a big step closer towards a network of trails which provide opportunities for canoeing, walking, cycling and horse riding. The Maroochy River Canoe Trail, Brisbane Valley Rail Trail and the Boonah to Ipswich Trail are the first of nine long distance trails to be developed.”
The funding will provide for track construction and facilities such as signage, toilets, fencing and camping areas to ensure users have a safe, rewarding and enjoyable experience.
South East Queensland councils will be working closely with the State Government to develop and implement the trails. Anyone with an interest in the trails and outdoor recreation generally can have input via a discussion paper released by the State Government which is available below:
SEQ Regional Outdoor Recreation Strategy Discussion Paper
