Annual Report shows region powering ahead despite tough conditions
The region continues to rebuild following several years of natural disasters, as highlighted in Scenic Rim Regional Council’s 2022-2023 Annual Report.
Adopted at this week’s Ordinary Meeting, the report provides a detailed account of Council’s progress in restoring the local road network, promoting the Scenic Rim as a leading tourism destination, maintaining more than $1 billion in public assets, and building a clear and sustainable vision for the region’s future.
Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said he was pleased to present the Annual Report, which highlighted Council’s operational resilience despite prolonged widespread rainfall and flooding.
“It makes me so proud to read the 2022-2023 Annual Report and see what we have accomplished during the past year in spite of the tough conditions,” he said.
“Our employees have repeatedly risen to the occasion and continued to deliver Council’s programs and projects, undeterred by the ongoing challenges we have faced including the COVID-19 pandemic, labour shortages and supply chain issues.”
Mayor Christensen recognised the positive feedback Council received from the community and said it reflected the organisation’s commitment to put its customers at the heart of all operations.
“I am immensely proud of the hard work of our staff, both operational and administrative, which was recognised at the state and national level in 2022-2023,” he said.
Council’s EmpowHer hiking program received national recognition, taking home the Programs and Activities Award at the Australian Sport, Recreation and Play Innovation Awards in July 2022, followed by the Government Achievement Award at the Outdoors Queensland Awards in October 2022.
Council also received two state awards in November 2022: the Strategic Planning Award for Excellence for its Draft Scenic Rim Growth Management Strategy 2041 at the Queensland Awards for Planning Excellence, and a silver award in the Excellence in Food Tourism category at the Queensland Tourism Awards.
Mayor Christensen said these achievements reaffirmed the Scenic Rim’s reputation as a leading destination.
“Our local economy has continued to power ahead with a 9.81 per cent increase in Gross Regional Product for the 2021-2022 financial year, which is almost double Queensland’s growth of 4.99 per cent,” he said.
“Confidence has also increased in our investment sector, emphasised by the $182 million in building approvals in 2021-2022, which is the highest since the region’s peak in 2016-2017.
“Another highlight of the year was Council’s adoptions of the Scenic Rim Agribusiness 10-Year Roadmap 2022-2032, the Scenic Rim Agribusiness and Agritourism Three-Year Action Plan 2022-2025, and the Scenic Rim Five-Year Biodiversity Implementation Plan, which were announced in last year’s Annual Report.”
Mayor Christensen also recognised Council’s progress in restoring the local road network, despite interruptions from multiple declared disaster events that caused further damage and disrupted works already underway.
“Since late 2020, the Scenic Rim has experienced some of the worst widespread rainfall and flooding in generations,” he said.
“Despite the challenges presented by these disasters, Council remained committed to investing in a well-maintained, safe and interconnected transport network to serve our growing population and visitors to our region, with $33 million allocated for the region’s roads and bridges in 2022-2023.
“This investment was boosted in June 2023 with over $3.14 million from the Australian Government’s Emergency Response Fund.”
Mayor Christensen also highlighted Council’s dedication to delivering high standards of customer service, with several innovative approaches taken this year.
“In a first for our region, community consultation helped to determine priorities for Council’s 2023-2024 Budget,” he said.
“We also implemented an online customer request portal for high-demand services and launched a new online Planning Scheme platform.
“I thank everyone who participated in or accessed these community engagement opportunities and contributed to building a strong future for the Scenic Rim.”
Mayor Christensen said he was extremely pleased with the work Council had delivered.
“From planting more than 46,000 trees through our One Million Trees Program to completing parking and pedestrian improvements as part of the Beaudesert Town Centre multi-stage revitalisation, 2022-2023 was a remarkable year for our region,” he said.
“I would like to acknowledge the funding Council received from the Queensland and Australian Governments, without which we could not have delivered many of our significant capital and operational projects over the last twelve months.
“I also congratulate our hardworking staff for their continued dedication and efforts in serving the community.”
The full Scenic Rim Regional Council 2022-2023 Annual Report can be viewed online at Corporate Publications – Scenic Rim Regional Council