Our Western Downs Building a Vibrant Future from a Rich History

From cattle to construction to cultural heritage, the Western Downs Regional Council services reflect the region’s rich rural history and vibrant, evolving future. Not many organisations or businesses in Australia offer their clients such a variety of services and facilities at the local level, by local people.  It’s this diversity, regional perspective, history and local knowledge that give the Western Downs Regional Council the ability to cope with rapidly expanding economic growth and cultural change.

Our People
The staff at Western Downs Regional Council bring with them, literally hundreds of years of history and experience. The Council’s executive team alone, have over 130 years in experience in local government across the Western Downs region, having both lived and worked in all the major towns across the region.

Our Infrastructure
“As a Council, we have over 16 major projects just in the Dalby district alone, not to mention the wider Western Downs region,” says Mayor Ray Brown. Major infrastructure projects in the Dalby district include the building upgrade and development of  sporting facilities at the PCYC and the development of an indoor swimming pool.

One of the most visual examples of this growth and infrastructure development by Council will be seen in the centre of Dalby with the development of Council’s corporate building - Western Downs on Drayton.  Through design and the latest technology, the building reflects an active government for the Western Downs region that has the vision to cater for the increasing demands of economic development, while balancing genuine community development and liveability.

"Importantly Western Downs on Drayton will bring together 150 local staff in one central location, rather than in several locations," explains Ray.  “Bringing all Council services under the one roof in a location close to the CBD will significantly improve customer service delivery. "The building will also house the Central Disaster Coordination Centre allowing all coordination functions to occur in the one location as opposed to several which we endured during the recent floods. The refurbishment will be well advanced by June with an official opening planned later this year."

Plans are already underway to redevelop Council’s current administration building in Drayton Street into a cultural and leisure precinct with the relocation of the Dalby Library.

Our Rural Heritage
The Dalby Saleyards has a 100 year history, with the present site in operation since the 1950s. “The saleyards are an integral part of our community”, explains Ed Hoffmann, Director of Community Services. “As the largest single day selling centre in Australia, they’re an important part of the regional economy and recognised as the quickest weighing facility in the country.  Dalby is well situated for such a service, being at the junction of major highways to the south east corner, west and south. Council is currently reviewing the facility to ensure it meets future demands and keeps pace with technology.” Ian Henderson, the saleyard manager, has been working the facility for the past 25 years.  You can see Ian and the team every Wednesday in true cattle form at the saleyards on the western side of Dalby.

Our Cultural Heritage
“Imagine-Connect-Experience” is how the nine library branches across the Western Downs are joining forces to deliver a customer focused service where each branch will deliver tailored collections and programs that suit local demands. “We’re boutiquing”, explains Chris Bermingham, Central Administration Branch Supervisor. “Basically, this means we have surveyed our local communities to see what they want.  Resources and programs that suit the community in Bell, for example, may be completely different to what the local community in Dalby or Chinchilla may request”. 

Looking forward, one of the most exciting programs to be developed will be preserving the history and cultural heritage of the Western Downs with a digital catalogue. “With the recent flooding, the urgency for this project has really been highlighted”, says Chris.  “Council wants to ensure that we don’t lose all the rich history of our region so through the library service we now offer technical support to our local historical societies and family history groups."