Minute with the Mayor Teresa Millwood

This month, I want to share some positive news with our community about two important achievements for the Cassowary Coast and encourage everyone to have their say through Council’s 2026 Community Scorecard.

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Firstly, I am very pleased to advise that Council has won the Projects over $10 million category at the 2026 Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia, Queensland & Northern Territory (IPWEA-QNT) Excellence Awards for the Mission Beach CBD Revitalisation, earning statewide recognition for one of our region’s most significant public infrastructure projects.

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This state award recognises the quality of a major public infrastructure project delivered here in the Cassowary Coast.

The project has transformed the heart of Mission Beach through upgraded public spaces, improved drainage, road and footpath reconstruction, landscaping, lighting, public art and better beach access, while preserving the relaxed tropical character valued by the community.

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I thank the Mission Beach community, local businesses, Council staff, contractors and consultants who all contributed to this significant project.

Secondly, Council has also been recognised for its work in strengthening flood risk management through our Flash Flood Sensor Network and Disaster Dashboard Integration project.

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The Cassowary Coast is highly vulnerable to intense rainfall and flash flooding, and this project is helping Council improve the way we monitor and respond to rapidly changing conditions.

Council has now installed 21 real-time flash flood sensors at key high-risk locations as part of a three-year trial. These sensors feed live information into Council’s Disaster Dashboard, improving situational awareness for Council, emergency services and the community.

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This means Council is less reliant on delayed reporting, regional data or sending staff into hazardous conditions to inspect known trouble spots during severe weather. Instead, we have better local intelligence to support faster, more informed decisions about road conditions, warnings, response actions and community safety.

The project is also helping strengthen coordination with emergency services and response agencies by providing more timely and reliable local information when conditions are changing quickly. It is a practical investment in community safety and a strong example of how innovation can improve disaster preparedness and response in a regional area.

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As we head into the wet season, I encourage all residents to take practical steps now to Get Ready. Forecasts may be pointing to a drier and warmer than average start to the season, but that does not mean severe weather will not occur. Heavy rain, flooding and tropical cyclones can still develop quickly, and preparing early means you are ready if conditions change.

Residential ratepayers will have received a waste voucher with their latest rate notice, which can be used to dispose of a load of eligible dry household waste. I encourage residents to use this opportunity to clean up around the home and yard, clear gutters, secure loose outdoor items, check emergency kits and make sure household plans are in place.

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Please also remember that Council’s Disaster Dashboard is the best place to find local weather warnings, road closures, power outage information and emergency updates when severe weather affects our region.

Finally, I want to strongly encourage everyone across the Cassowary Coast to take part in the 2026 Community Scorecard.

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If you receive the Scorecard in your letterbox or inbox, or access it online, please take a few minutes to complete it before 6 November 2026. This is your opportunity to rate Council services, tell us what matters most to you, and help shape Council priorities, community outcomes and advocacy.

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The Community Scorecard is one of the most important ways we hear directly from our residents. Your feedback helps Council understand what we are doing well, where we need to improve, and what matters most to our communities now and into the future. I strongly encourage everyone to take part.

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Council will continue working to deliver practical outcomes for our communities and to ensure the Cassowary Coast remains the most liveable tropical community.

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