New RAPAD Board Ready to Work for the Region

The Remote Area Planning and Development Board will keep driving forward with key region building work under its new board.

The new RAPAD board is made up of all the Mayors from the seven councils of the central west who were ratified at the board meeting on Friday.

Longreach Regional Council Mayor Tony Rayner has been elected Chair.

“RAPAD is about supporting all of our seven member councils and working as a collective group with common interests and challenges,” he said.

“RAPAD has worked with neighbouring regions to secure $185million of State and Federal funding for roads across outback Queensland.

“We have worked collectively as the Western Queensland Alliance of Councils to put a COVID stimulus package to the State Government

“The cluster fencing programs continue to deliver for local sheep producers and the wider community.  The project’s success is held high as a state-wide example of success.”

“Innovation and energy continue to be our focus as drivers for economic growth,” Councillor Rayner said.

Barcoo Shire Mayor Sally O’Neil has stepped from being Barcoo Shire Council employee to into the civic leadership role.

“I’m looking forward to working with the broader leadership team of the central west region to collectively get a better deal for all of us,” she said.

“I’ve been involved in RAPADs technical committees for Outback Regional Roads and Transport Group as well as the RAPAD Water and Sewage Alliance so I’m no stranger to RAPAD but the strategic side of the organisation will be new for me,” she said.

The remaining directors are Andrew Martin Blackall Tambo Regional Council, Sean Dillon Barcaldine Regional Council, Gavin Baskett Winton Shire Council, Rick Britton Boulia Shire Council, Robert Dare Diamantina Shire Council.

The RAPAD organisation is responsible for RAPAD, RAPAD Skilling, Rural Financial Counselling Service North Queensland.