Cr Column Councillor Amanda Hall

And so the new year begins. As this is my first Councillor column for 2025, I would like to reflect on the past year – and what a year it has been.
Having been overwhelmingly elected by people to represent them in Council, I have tried my best to do so, sometimes garnishing the ire of fellow Councillors and directors. So be it, I fight for what I believe in. It has been a steep learning curve, understanding correct protocol, local laws and Government legislation. It’s not as cut and dried as people may think, and you must work within the scope of it all.  
Decisions have to be made. Sometimes coming to terms with those decisions and the backlash that ensues is cause for a headache. If people disagree with those decisions, I would encourage them to inform themselves as to why they have been made. Pick up the phone and ring a Councillor, our phone numbers are on the Council website. Attend a Council meeting. Become an involved community member.
Hopefully the district can dust itself off and recover from the debacle that was sugar cane harvesting season. Mill disruptions have had a devastating effect on those in the industry.  Mill workers, contractors, and farmers, have all been impacted by the lengthy season through no fault of their own and this flows onto the economy of the Burdekin Shire.  Government needs to recognise and understand this and act accordingly.
With that being said, I hope each and every one of us has had a happy Christmas with their family and friends. A new year brings new hope. A hope for positivity and kindness to our fellow man. A hope for change. God Bless.

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