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As our region works together to promote and support our local business and vital tourism industry through this challenging time, Chair Mayor Samantha O’Toole has written to the Prime Minister voicing our united concerns at the impact of the government’s new fuel campaign on our rural and remote communities.
The South West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils has launched a fuel availability platform designed to restore traveller confidence and support local economies across the region.
The landmark platform provides up-to-date information on fuel supplies across six South West Queensland councils – Balonne, Bulloo, Maranoa, Murweh, Paroo and Quilpie - allowing travellers to click on individual towns and view current availability of unleaded petrol, diesel, Jet A1 and avgas.
Landowners impacted by the 2025 Western Queensland floods can now apply for up to $500,000 in assistance to repair damaged exclusion fencing.
The South West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (SWQROC) welcomes the significant commitment of a further $191 million announced by the Queensland and Australian Governments earlier today to support Western Queensland’s ongoing flood recovery.
The South West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (SWQROC) has today released a comprehensive Study into the Impacts of Carbon Farming in South West Queensland Communities.
Mayors from Queensland’s South West have welcomed the establishment of Queensland’s first Cross-Border Commissioner announced by Premier Miles in Parliament this week, with Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers taking up the inaugural position.
Mayors from Queensland’s south west have welcomed the 2024 State Budget $3 million commitment to the establishment of a new Cross Border Commissioner.
The 4th Western Queensland Alliance of Councils Assembly (WQAC2023) was held in Winton this week, bringing together the 24 Western Queensland councils, senior representatives from Federal and State government, and leading industry, academia and business networks.
Raising support and growing networks with Ministers, Opposition members, Director Generals and Peak Body Senior Officials to shape policy and deliver outcomes for SWQ, SWQROC members once again travelled to Brisbane as a united group.
The 22 member councils of the Western Queensland Alliance of Councils (WQAC) now have completed Local Housing Action Plans, designed to help address the housing challenges facing regional and remote Queensland.
Securing support for critical issues in SWQ with Federal Ministers, Senators, Opposition Members and key organisations was the goal when SWQROC members travelled to Canberra in March ahead of the Federal Budget.
Representatives from SWQROC joined Western Queensland Alliance of Councils (WQAC) colleagues as part of delegations to State and Federal government on 8-9 March 2023.
Paroo and Murweh shires are part of the first six Local Housing Action Plans for councils across Western Queensland that have been unveiled to tackle housing challenges in rural and remote communities.
A year after creating global interest in a special New Homeowner Grant designed to encourage new home building, Quilpie Shire Council has confirmed that they will continue offering the grant, as well as revealing plans to offer more housing and land in the Outback region.
SWQROC Chair, Mayor Samantha O’Toole, joined attendees from all levels of government, industry and housing stakeholders at the Queensland Housing Summit in Brisbane.
There is strong demand for new roadhouse and/or service station developments across the region and a number of sites have been identified for this use.
South West Queensland has officially stepped into the foodie arena with the region hosting a first ever dining experience last week featuring a high-end menu inspired by the finest local produce.
The South West Queensland Organisation of Councils (SWQROC) well and truly took its board meeting dinner to the next level with event sponsor Bengal Energy helping to deliver a taste sensation seven-course degustation menu at the Eromanga Natural History Museum.
Big Plans for Small Business in SWQ
Register Your Interest – https://www.swqroc.com.au/ready-made-business
“A 25-year-old buying a two-storey house with a picturesque garden for just over $300,000 harks back to the early 1990s…”
Cunnamulla Bakery rises to the occasion, winning national Welcoming Cities Award
Cunnamulla business owners, Nick and Kate Land of the Cunnamulla Bakery have taken home the Individual Award in the inaugural Welcoming Australia Welcoming Cities Awards for Change for their work in ensuring their migrant employees feel welcome and are embraced by the local community.
Quilpie's "Curlew Estate" Stage Two release for sale by online auction at 11am 7 April 2022. All enquiries to dannielle.dunlop@gdlrural.com.au or 07 4656 2550.
South West Queenslands own ‘Moonrocks’ have taken out the Coles ‘Farmer of the Year’ awards in Melbourne on Friday with David Moon onsite and enjoying some of the sights while down south.
David Moon at the MCG after taking home ‘Horticulture Farmer of the Year’ at the Weekly Times Coles Farmer of the Year Awards on Friday…
“Out West Where the Stars are Brightest” was the theme of the 2022 Western Queensland Alliance of Councils (WQAC) Assembly where a record 205 delegates, sponsors, government and industry participants convened at the Charleville Town Hall from Wednesday 9th to Friday 11th March.
SWQROC Chair Cr Samantha O’Toole, has welcomed the 2021 Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Report. “It speaks to the real issue holding back our social and economic development. Connectivity is at the heart of keeping us safe and secure.
“A few years ago Augathella cattleman Doug Cameron was waiting in line to pay for fuel at a service station in Roma, having just sold another line of store cattle into a tough market for a barely profitable return…”
Mayors, Deputy Mayors, Chief Executive Officers, Stakeholders and Sponsors are invited to attend the WQAC Assembly 2022 in Charleville.
South West Queensland is a large region that epitomizes outback lifestyle and charm.
It enjoys strong economic growth that outpaces Queensland and numerous other regions thanks to its diversified agricultural industry and booming resource sector.
This growth has led to both private and public sector organisations seeking to expand their local workforce.
These forces have combined to create strong demand for rental properties across many of the towns in South West Queensland. Currently, there is demand for over 600 new residential dwellings across the region.1
“Blocks of land for sale in outback Queensland, that attracted hundreds of inquiries from across the globe, have sold for up to six times their reserve price.
The council-owned land in Quilpie, 900 kilometres west of Brisbane, was marketed as "essentially free" on the condition that buyers built a new house and live there for at least six months.
The reserve price was $12,500 — the same amount as a new homeowner grant the council is offering.
Six blocks in Curlew Estate — each about 1,000 square metres — sold at an online auction today for between $45,000 and $70,000 each…..”
There is strong demand for housing across the South West Queensland region, stemming from local businesses expanding and seeking to hire additional staff as well as from a number of government agencies that require housing for their growing staff numbers. The Queensland Police Force, Department of Health, Department of Education and numerous local governments all have new staff requirements and need housing for them.