Mayor and Deputy Mayor to attend conference

Douglas Shire Council Mayor Julia Leu and Deputy Mayor Abigail Noli will attend the Local Government Association of Queensland Finance Summit on the Sunshine Coast next month.

The LGAQ Finance Summit on May 7 will be immediately followed by the LGAQ Civic Leaders Summit on May 8-9 at the same location.The Finance Summit is focussed on financial sustainability and is designed to showcase management approaches with speakers from state and local government as well as Queensland Treasury Corporation who will present practical solutions to contemporary challenges.

Topics to be discussed include emerging issues in local government, asset management and depreciation, internal audit function, linking financial management to corporate planning and building a culture of financial performance and accountability. The program also provides for workshops and panel sessions covering different approaches to financial decision-making.

Mayor Leu is also one of only two Mayors to receive an invitation to be a member of the panel at the Civic Leaders Summit. This summit is about the business of leadership and the special and unique roles of Mayor, Deputy Mayor and CEO.

Workplace Health and Safety Policy adopted

Douglas Shire Council yesterday adopted a Workplace Health and Safety Policy at its Ordinary Council Meeting.The policy details Council’s commitment to providing a safe work environment and safety systems that achieves legislative compliance and promotes best practice within the workplace.The policy commits Council to ensure all employees are competent and trained to carry out their duties safely, provide adequate health and safety training and employ effective hazard and risk management procedures.

Historic murals given go-ahead

Douglas Shire Council yesterday granted approval for historic mural panels to be erected on the eastern façade of the new Woolworths building in Mossman.

The historic panels were created by artists from Douglas Arts Base and Yalanji Arts and are an initiative of the Douglas Shire Historic Society. The five panels depict Kuku Yalanji Bama culture, pioneer cedar cutters who arrived in the region in the late 1800s, Mossman Central Mill, the Exchange Hotel and Mossman streetscape from the early 1900s and St David’s Church which took 40 years to build.

The panels were officially unveiled this morning.Council also granted conditional approval for internal changes at the Woolworths site. The conditions include covering the walkway linking the existing Woolworths complex and the new development.

The applicant also agreed to plant some deep-rooted shade trees.