Cr Column Councillor Callan Oar 30th April

Council continues to work through budget discussions for the 2026/27 financial year. This is a critical process, as we balance competing priorities and ensure we are making responsible decisions for the long term.

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Over the weekend, we marked Anzac Day. It was pleasing to see strong attendance across the Shire, with well attended services that recognised the sacrifices made by those who served.

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Yesterday, we welcomed representatives from Whitsunday Regional Council. It was a productive meeting and a great opportunity to strengthen relationships with a neighbouring council. While we may differ on some matters, we share many of the same challenges. Open discussions like these are valuable in identifying practical solutions and learning from each other’s experiences.

It was also great to see strong community participation in local events, including Sugar Rush over the weekend. Events like this bring people together and are a positive reflection of our community.

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Finally, I want to acknowledge growing concerns around antisocial behaviour, particularly impacting some of our local businesses. This is not acceptable, and it is something that needs to be taken seriously. Everyone should feel safe in our public spaces, especially the elderly, families and business owners. I will continue to support efforts to address these issues and encourage anyone affected to report incidents so they can be properly dealt with.

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