Minute with the Mayor

I always appreciate hearing directly from our community about the issues that matter most to you.

This month, I’m responding to questions from residents on a range of important topics, from cassowary safety on our roads to rates, youth activities and community safety in Innisfail.  

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Thank you to everyone who sent in a question; your input is invaluable and helps keep Council connected to the people we serve.  

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Question from Ally: Mayor, can we please do better at informing drivers on the roads to slow down for Cassowaries - so we can reduce big bird fatality & injury? Reduce speeds, more signage and street calming in known Cassowary corridors.

Thanks, Ally. Yes, protecting cassowaries on our roads is very important, and is something Council is actively involved in.  

Council is a long-term member of the Cassowary Recovery Team, coordinated by the Wet Tropics Management Authority under the federally endorsed Cassowary Recovery Plan.  

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Locally, we work with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Department of Transport and Main Roads on implementing speed limits, erecting warning signage, recent crossing alerts and other road safety measures in known cassowary corridors.  

We know there is always more to do, and Council will keep working with our partners to improve awareness and protect these iconic birds.  

There is an app called Q Wildlife, where you can record sightings and incidents, or you can call the wildlife hotline on 1300 130 372. I urge all drivers to please slow down and take extra care in signed cassowary zones.  

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Question from Jan: when are the rates actually decreasing to an affordable level, and why is it going up?

Thanks, Jan. We understand that any increase in rates is difficult, especially with cost-of-living pressures continuing to affect households across the Cassowary Coast.  

Rates are increasing because Council’s costs to deliver essential services such as roads, drainage, water, waste, public spaces and community facilities continue to rise. Higher fuel prices, ageing infrastructure, severe weather impacts and increased waste costs are all placing pressure on Council’s budget.  

Council has worked hard to keep this year’s increase as low as possible.  

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We’ve limited increases to water and waste charges to cost recovery only, and we’ve retained the on-time payment discount to help ease the burden for ratepayers who can pay by the due date.  

If anyone is experiencing hardship or having difficulty paying their rates, we strongly encourage them to contact Council’s Customer Services team as early as possible to discuss available payment arrangements.  

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Question from anonymous community member: When are you going to implement more events and activities in the region for more adolescents and young adults?

Good question, Council hold various events aimed at our younger community members, such as the annual Tilapia competition, which is coming up at the start of October!  

However, due to limited resources and funding, we are unable to deliver all events directly. Instead, we encourage local community groups, schools, and P&Cs to take the lead in organising their own events and to apply for available grant funding that supports activities for young people in our community.  

Please visit Council’s website cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/grants to learn more.  

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Our young people are the future of the Cassowary Coast, and their voices matter. The Youth Advisory Committee is a fantastic opportunity for them to share their ideas and help shape a region they’re proud to call home.  

I encourage all eligible young people to apply and be part of this exciting initiative. Check out Council's website and search Youth Advisory Committee.  

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Question from John: When will Council work with police to address public drunkenness and antisocial behaviour in Innisfail? Council officers could also consider stronger enforcement in the CBD for smoking within 10 metres of shop entrances and forlittering. What steps can Council take, in partnership with relevant agencies, to improve public amenity and community safety in these areas?

Thanks, John. Council does work with Queensland Police Service on community safety issues in Innisfail, but it’s important to be clear that public drunkenness and antisocial behaviour are primarily matters for police enforcement. Smoking rules and regulations are enforced by Queensland Health authorities, not council.  

Littering is a Council matter, but enforcement usually requires an officer to witness the offence, unless it involves littering from a vehicle.  

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We can all help by identifying problem areas, sharing information and supporting a coordinated local response to keep the Innisfail CBD safe, clean and welcoming.  

People can report issues to us directly via the ‘report an issue’ link on our website  

Thanks again to Cassowary Coast community members who sent in questions. It’s really important that we keep these conversations going, stay transparent, and make sure our community is informed about the issues that matter. So please keep sending your questions through; I look forward to answering more of them next time.

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