Our Budget is back to basics for good reason

We as a Council have had to take a restrained and a back-to-basics approach to this financial year's Budget, and for good reason.

Given the economic climate we are in, it was prudent - although not ideal - for us to stick to the essentials.

However, thanks to the efforts of Council staff, we have been able to secure external funding (i.e., the Queensland and Australian governments), with Council contributions, which will enable some exciting, big-ticket projects to go ahead.

It's vital that we are sensible with our spending and put Council in a solid position to weather the current and future challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic presents to the economy.

It's not the Budget we wanted to have, but it's the Budget we need at this time.

This month sees the reopening of the Splashez Aquatic Centre, on Saturday, July 11 at 10.30am, and the extension of opening hours of the City Library on Monday, July 13 - from that date, it will be open from 9.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday.

This coincides with the implementation of Round 3 of the COVID-19 Recovery Roadmap for Queensland.

If you haven't yet had a chance to take a look at the new Riversleigh Fossil Discovery Centre,

I strongly encourage you to do so - the school holidays present the perfect opportunity to take the whole family down for a great excursion that will simultaneously inform, entertain and fascinate.

The feedback that's been received so far has been very positive and we are extremely happy with the end result of the $2.2 million revitalisation project.

From the informative entry tunnel, to the high-tech, state-of-the-art, interactive displays and myriad of fossil specimens on show, and the favourite recreation of an ancient Riversleigh cave filled with all sorts of animals, there is something for everyone.

Be sure to make a day of it and take a Hard Time Mine tour, visit the Isa Experience museum and have a bite to eat at the Outback at Isa Café as well.

Danielle Slade,

Mount Isa Mayor