Quality, efficient infrastructure continued priority

Central Highlands Regional Council has marked the beginning of the calendar year with a report on the organisation’s performance for the second quarter of the financial year.

Chief Executive Officer Sharon Houlihan said council’s commitment to improving the performance and efficiency of infrastructure and facilities continued to be a priority.

‘The last three months of 2021 saw us progress a number of important projects, from landfill rehabilitation and water infrastructure upgrades to new parks and facility facelifts,’ she said.

‘We also connected with our community with events like the popular Seniors Month Luncheon and our very first Career Chats roadshow, and online with over 2,500 residents engaging through our Have Your Say platform.’

The CEO said the report marked the halfway point of the council’s capital works delivery plan.

‘So far 28.6% of the budget has been spent or committed to be spent and 52.5% of projects are under construction or completed,’ she said.

‘Additionally, 84% of the 100 activities listed in our 2021-22 operational plan have been completed or are on track.’

Highlights of the second quarter performance report include:

Blackwater skatepark and memorial garden completed and opened200 attendees at Seniors Week Luncheon and 600 gift bags delivered57 defective hydrants and valves replaced in EmeraldEmerald Airport named Large Regional Airport of the Year in the Australian Airport Association’s National Airport Industry Awards for 2021Over 14,000 head of cattle sold at Emerald Saleyards91% of customer service calls resolved at first point of contact