WESTERN QLD COUNCILS STEP UP TO HELP FLOOD-HIT SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND
The 22 councils of Western Queensland have joined forces to support the 22 south-east Queensland councils hit by recent flooding with a collective $105,500 contribution to the Queensland Flood Appeal.
Coming together under the banner of the Western Queensland Alliance of Councils (WQAC) the collective is honoured to be the only group being afforded the opportunity to present at the Queensland Flood Appeal Reception being held at Parliament House on Wednesday evening.
As the initiator of the ‘Twenty-Two for Twenty-Two in 2022’ idea, Cr Andrew Martin, Blackall-Tambo Regional Council Mayor, and member of the WQAC Leadership Group, will make a speech on behalf of the WQAC and present the cheque to the Premier.
Mayor Martin said this was an opportunity to lend a helping hand and say thank you for the many years of assistance and support metro and coastal councils and communities had given the outback.
“The rural and remote communities of Western Queensland are no strangers to severe weather challenges, from ongoing drought to devastating floods and cyclones. And we don’t forget that our mates in the south-east get behind us as we face these challenges,” Cr Martin said.
“I’m proud that a resounding priority for our communities was to help those impacted by the floods putting into motion the idea for the ‘Twenty-Two for Twenty-Two in 2022’.”
“As leaders in our region, we started this discussion at the 2022 WQAC Assembly held in Charleville earlier this month, and all 22 councils stepped up to contribute to the fundraising effort.
“In addition, a number have sent plant, equipment, and personnel to assist in the clean-up given this disaster is affecting so many of our fellow Queenslanders,” Cr Martin said.
“Over the past decade of drought, we have witnessed incredible generosity from the urban areas hit by floods including the ongoing delivery of toys, holidays, money, food, hay, pet food, clothes, rent relief and fuel - the list is endless, that has come our way. And now we want to repay this kindness.”
“We are privileged to be part of the Flood Appeal. Quite simply, from the 22 of us in Western Queensland to the 22 of you in the State’s south-east, we say thank you!”
The WQAC represent the 22 rural and remote councils that cover 60% of the State from the Gulf of Carpentaria in the north to the New South Wales and South Australian borders in the south.
For more information on the WQAC visit its website at: www.wqac.com.au
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Media contact: Aleisha Domrow – 0423 116 865
