August 28, 2020
The Wide Bay Burnett Regional Organisation of Councils (WBBROC) met in Cherbourg on Thursday – the first time the organisation has held an official gathering in the town.
WBBROC is the peak local government organisation for the Wide Bay-Burnett and is made up of representatives from the South Burnett, North Burnett, Cherbourg, Gympie, Fraser Coast and Bundaberg councils.
Mayors, Deputy Mayors and CEOs from the six councils as well as other council representatives attended.
The day included a visit to The Ration Shed Museum and the Materials Recovery Facility.
The WBBROC representatives also met with representatives from Regional Development Australia Wide Bay-Burnett (RDA WBB) to discuss regional roads and economic development opportunities.
The official WBBROC meeting was held at the Nurunderi TAFE campus.
Cherbourg mayor Elvie Sandow said it had been an “eye-opener” for her guests, who had learned more about the community its facilities, projects and plans.
She said the visitors had been delighted to be in Cherbourg.
“We’ve got a relationship with the South Burnett and I think the other councils are coming on board and that’s a really positive step,” Mayor Sandow said.
She said Cherbourg Council had an arrangement with Gympie Council in regards to recycling but she hoped the other councils would also come on board.
She looking forward to Cherbourg building and expanding partnerships with neighbouring councils.
WBBROC chair, Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey, said the Cherbourg Council had some really great projects, especially for the youth of the community.
“We want to highlight Cherbourg as such an important area for Wide Bay,” he said.
“We see a lot of funds going further north. We’re saying, you’ve got Cherbourg so close to millions of people in south-east Queensland so if you put some funding into here, the rest of Queensland could come and get a really magnificent cultural experience.
Mayor Dempsey said WBBROC was there to help to Cherbourg.
“We want the young people here to have a bigger, brighter future,” he said.
