Cross-border collaboration at Bourke BROC Meeting

Attendees at the BROC Meeting in Bourke last week; front l-r: Leonie Brown (General Manager Bourke Shire Council), Michelle Clarke (CEO Balonne Shire Council), Michaela Christensen (Balonne Shire Councillor), Sarah Barton (Department of Premier and Cabinet), Suzette Beresford (Mayor of Paroo Shire Council), Pippi Harris (Secretariat, Goondiwindi Regional Council), Kate Dight (Mayor of Inverell Shire), Tiff Galvin (Mayor of Gwydir Shire), and Lachlan Ford ( Mayor of Bourke Shire). Back: Tommy Stanton (Mayor Brewarrina Shire), David Kerby (General Manager of Brewarrina Shire Council), Rob Mackenzie (Chair of BROC, Deputy Mayor of Goondiwindi Regional Council), Sean Coleman (Councillor, Gwydir Shire Council), Commissioner Mr Ian Leavers (Queensland Cross-Border Commissioner). Photo TWH

A meeting of the Border Regional Organisation of Councils (BROC) was held in Bourke last week and brought local council leaders, department heads and cross-border representatives together to address key issues affecting communities that straddle state lines.

Bourke Shire Council General Manager Leonie Brown said it was an honour to host such a significant gathering in the far west, highlighting the importance of strong collaboration between New South Wales and Queensland authorities.

“It was great to have the representation here in Bourke,” Mrs Brown said. “We had several members attending both in person and online, including key departments and community leaders. These meetings are crucial to ensure regional voices are heard on matters that directly affect us.”

One of the major outcomes of the meeting was a commitment to stronger engagement around law and order, with Queensland’s Cross-Border Commissioner pledging to convene a roundtable discussion with the NSW Minister for Police, Yasmin Catley.

“The Commissioner is bringing together a roundtable with the Minister for Police to address law and order issues, especially for communities along the border,” Mrs Brown said. “That roundtable will be held in Inverell, which is a great step forward in addressing our shared concerns.”

Emergency response and disaster preparedness were also key agenda items. The Queensland Commissioner has been actively working across districts to improve coordination following recent floods in south-west Queensland. […]

Read more local news in the printed edition of The Western Herald.

To subscribe call (02) 6872 2333 today and receive The Western Herald in your letterbox next week!