February 22, 2021
South Burnett Regional Council has been working with Queensland Health to determine possible venues for the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination program in the region.
Speaking at last Wednesday’s Executive, Finance and Corporate Standing committee meeting, Mayor Brett Otto said customer contact teams from the five Council offices – in Blackbutt, Nanango, Kingaroy, Wondai and Murgon – had been busy assisting Queensland Health and Council’s Community Department to “accommodate the possible venues for the rollout”.
“Once we have formal notification of what is required, Council officers will contact customers who have bookings impacted by the rollout at our facilities,” Mayor Otto said.
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During 2020, the SBRC issued 120,704 receipts, created 14,855 customer requests for service, processed 2010 search requests and answered 33,790 phone calls, Mayor Otto told the meeting.
“Further, Council received close to a million external emails,” he said.
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Council received 662 applications for the 10 traineeships it offered earlier this year.
“Shortlisting has been undertaken based on eligibility criteria and interviews will be conducted,” Mayor Otto said.
“We expect all trainees will commence with Council in March.”
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In December and January, Council’s media and communications team sent out 56 media releases, handled 19 media inquiries, made 95 Facebook posts, six LinkedIn posts and nine posts on Instagram.
During January, Council’s Facebook page attracted an additional 24 “likes” taking it to a total of 7923 “likes”.
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Mayor Otto said Council’s Finance Department was working with managers on the third quarter Budget revision for 2020-21 financial year, including an updated long-term financial forecast.
He said Budget preparations for 2021-22 were “well under way”.
“The adoption of the Budget is planned for June 30, 2021,” Mayor Otto said.
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Rates notices were issued on February 10 with a discount date of March 16.
“The rates team has also been heavily involved with Council’s debt recovery specialists … this has resulted in 71 summonses as to Statements Of Claim being issued by the Brisbane Magistrates Court and are still in the process of being served,” Mayor Otto said.
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Council plans to “refresh” its registers of pre-qualified suppliers for trades services, electrical works, pest management and civil works.
“The process enables new suppliers to ‘on-board’ and existing suppliers to update their service listing,” Mayor Otto said.
The Mayor said Council had engaged a consultant to assist with the transition to “centralised procurement”.
