Council Restructure Enables Workers to Stay on the Tools

Published 22 April 2020

COVID-19 may have shut down Council’s facilities, emptied libraries and stopped events - but that slowdown has created a window of opportunity for maintenance crews.

With fewer cars on local streets and parks almost empty, Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Peter Flannery said the maintenance team was getting through their To Do List quicker than expected.

“Our $2 million accelerated works program is already underway and the team has put $750,000 worth of works out to the market through VendorPanel,” Cr Flannery said.

“I urge local Moreton Bay businesses to register for VendorPanel Marketplace to be considered for upcoming Council tenders, because I want to see those ratepayer dollars pumped back into our community and helping to keep our economy afloat through these tough times.

“This is a key element of our stimulus package and there’ll be more to come.

“I want to thank our crews for being so quick to adapt to the pressures and restrictions that come with continuing to work through this pandemic, and making innovative changes to stay on the tools.

“Crews are staggering the start times of shifts, only carrying two crew in the cabin of vehicles where space allows it, and sanitising vehicles and equipment between use.

“That’s enabled them to replace the stairs at Elimbah Soldiers Hall, install new beach showers at Suttons and Sylvian Beach, repaint the Mango Hill Community Centre, upgrade air conditioning at the Bribie Island Seaside Museum, repair shade sails at Caboolture and Deception Bay Pools and re-stumped the Petrie School of Arts - one of our region’s heritage buildings.

“Maintenance isn’t glamorous work, but it’s essential to keep Moreton Bay open and running. And while our lives may have slowed down due to COVID-19 but MBRC crews certainly haven’t stopped.

“I’m proud that we can continue to service our community, while also keeping our staff healthy and safe. It’s been an enormous logistical effort and I thank everyone involved.”

To register for Council tenders, visit the Stimulus Package web page.