From the Desk of the CEO: May 2026

Published on 26 March 2026

Hi Everyone,

It must have been a busy month because I fully intended to provide you with this update in the second week of May, and here it is coming into the last week.

Safety is always the most important thing in Council, so I will start there.

Work Health and Safety

This month, we provided everyone who works in the sun with new 5-litre water bottles. This not only helps them to keep hydrated but doesn’t require them to come back to the depot several times a day to refill water bottles.  Now that we have the ice machine working, this provides all our outdoor workers the opportunity to stay cool during the day.  Additionally, we have provided everyone with brimmed hats to help keep the sun off them. I know everyone thinks that caps are the thing and they make you look really cool, but they do nothing for your head in the heat. They don’t have ventilated crowns to keep your head cool, and they don’t cover your ears; in the long term, this could lead to skin cancer on your ears – this is not a pleasant place to end up, so I’ll be encouraging everyone to take up the new hats.

The other project we are working on is house numbering. The intent of this is to ensure safety services, e.g. ambulance, police etc., can find your place if you need help. This is being funded through the disaster “Get Ready” funding that is available to Council each year. The cost of the numbers and the labour to install them will be more than the funding, so we will need to roll part of the project into next year. However, we believe this is so important that Council will fund any shortfall.

Governance

We have now completed the initial stage of the upgrade of all our computers.  The old equipment was over eight years old and was becoming problematic and beginning to cost in repairs. Now we have faster, clearer monitors and computers on everyone’s desk. To complement this, we have commenced the implementation of new software. We are currently finalising the cemetery management software that will make a big difference in managing the sites in the cemetery and providing that essential information. The meeting management software is also nearly finalised, which cuts the time and cost considerably of preparing reports and agendas for Council meetings.  We have also signed on the “On Traq” software to help us manage the building contract works that are in place with Q Build, who provide us with the business of housing repairs. Unfortunately, we need to start looking at replacing our management software for running the whole Council. Other Councils have started this process, and some have already made the decision.  We now need to do the due diligence of investigating all the systems that are available and determine what works best for us. For that reason, our accountant and I will attend a workshop in Brisbane as part of the assessment of a software product.

Environmental Health

You will have noticed that the vet has recently visited Hope Vale to undertake our dog management programme. 27 dogs were desexed, and 131 other treatments such as worming, vaccinations, tick, flea and mange injection and tablets were administered.  Multiple dogs were treated for wounds, conjunctivitis etc., and 7 dogs were euthanised due to injury, condition and health.  A census was undertaken, and 350 dogs were counted.  However, we believe that is not a true indicator as we couldn’t enter some properties, so we believe a truer figure would be closer to 450-500 animals.  For a town our size, it is estimated that the number should be below 300.  So, this service is free, and I would encourage everyone to take advantage of it to manage your dog’s health and wellbeing.  Sick dogs can bring sickness into your house.  We need to teach our children how to look after animals so we can enjoy what they have to offer us during their lifespan.

Councillor Movements

With all the latest community disturbances, Councillors are working hard to meet with all the agencies that are involved in helping us maintain safety and protection. Council has been working with the police and Child Safety, but also, we will continue to meet with other agencies to ensure they are using their funding correctly to help our community be a good place to live.

Next month, Mayor Gibson and I will be attending the Australian Local Government Association National Assembly in Canberra. This is where all Local Governments in Australia come to gather to seek out opportunities to have programmes funded and look at resolutions for all those matters that affect Local Governments right across Australia. Several other Indigenous councils will be attending.  The Mayor has also been attending the TCICA regional forums, meeting with members of FNQROC, an organisation of all Councils in the Cape and Gulf.  As well, he has been meeting Government Ministers to try to get awareness to have the McLeod River crossing upgraded and to look at the quality of schooling for our children. Hope Vale should not be disadvantaged by persons deciding in Brisbane what is best for us.

Finance

Without going into too much complicated detail, Council has maintained a strong financial position and continues to do so. Despite having to spend on major operational areas such as recruitment, vehicle upgrades, and building repairs, we have still been able to keep a healthy balance of invested funds to support our way forward into the next financial year. Council is just about to adopt its budget in June (next month). This will be an exciting way forward for Council as we will finally have a transparent path that will measure our progress to implement the programmes and purchases that Council has defined as important for the Hope Vale community.  We will now have some control over ensuring what the Council and the community want and what meets the needs of the Hope Vale people.

Staff

It was with a great amount of sadness that Council said goodbye to Ms Kerry Lee Bird, whose secondment to Council will end this month.  Kerry Lee has been responsible for ensuring all our social services have completely turned around, been made compliant and set on the path to improvement.  Grants have been acquitted up to date, ensuring we get back the money we have spent keeping aged care and child services open.

Total staff numbers are 78, up from 66 last year.  What is interesting is that in terms of service, we have four staff members who have worked in excess of 30 years for the Council, two between 20-30 years, and 12 between 5-10 years. This is an indicator to everyone out there that Council is a great place to work.  As I have said before, if you see a position advertised and you are prepared to work consistently, you will be given every opportunity to grow your skills and have a future right here where you have chosen to live. There are many benefits to gain such as superannuation, annual leave, long service leave, and other leave that supports health and well-being as well as a good lifestyle. Council is about family first.

Here is hoping you are all looking after yourselves and following good health practices. 

Stay well and enjoy this great environment that we share.

Lew Rojahn
Chief Executive Officer