SMK QLD

24/04/2026

Lest We Forget 🌹🕊️

📸 Jeff and Marcus, still on the road, way out West under open sky ✨
📍Quilpie/Blackall

10/04/2026

06/03/2026

Ralph and Marcus putting in some hours on tour! Practising their pit crew skills. Western trips always ensure the tyres get a rotation at the very least….The “How To by Ralph” is a solid read! What a boss!! 😜

25/02/2026

📣 INVITATION FOR TENDERS — QSC 25/26 Housing Project

Quilpie Shire Council is calling for tenders from suitably qualified organisations to deliver the planning, approvals, design, and construction components of the 25/26 Housing Project (T10 25 26).

📄 Tender Documents Available: 25 February 2026 via VendorPanel
⏰ Submission Deadline: 2:00 PM, Friday 27 March 2026
📬 Submit via: VendorPanel Public Tenders

This is a significant opportunity to partner with Quilpie Shire Council on a key infrastructure initiative that will support the future growth of our region.

18/02/2026

1 DAY TO GO!
🗣COMMUNITY CONSULTATION DROP-IN👋

PROPOSED NEW RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN ST GEORGE

Council is seeking community input into a proposed new residential development in St George, which has the potential to contain an additional 44 home sites in the town with each block ranging from 1,000sqm to 1,900sqm.

The proposed site is on the corner Bowen and Alfred Streets, St George and Council has been working with the State Government, who currently owns the land, to finalise the acquisition of this land and convert it to freehold land for the development of residential allotments.

Thanks to funding from the State Government’s Residential Activation Fund, Council has received $230,000 for the planning and design of trunk infrastructure and services to progress development of the site.

Council has also received over $700,000 to commence implementation of some services such as stormwater, as well as pedestrian access to other recent residential subdivisions.

Council intends to acquire the land and progressively apply for funding to implement the services and infrastructure required to ensure the market is not flooded, and private land sales are not impacted.

This is purely a strategic purchase to ensure future growth of the town can be accommodated.

Council will be holding a community information session from 5:30pm-7:30pm on Tuesday 17 February 2026 at the Cultural Centre.

Residents and interested parties are welcome to attend this information session, which will be held in a drop-in style format.

18/02/2026

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT MANAGER BRINGING NEW DEVELOPMENTS ONLINE

Council’s Planning & Development Manager Olivia Hoolihan is steaming ahead with bringing new land and housing developments into the Shire.

The Planning & Development Manager was created in late 2024 with the role reporting directly to the CEO and an express goal of working with existing and potential developers to increase housing stock in Balonne.

Previously, Council had not been in a position to offer a dedicated, face to face resource within the Planning and Development Department to help developers of all experience levels discuss proposals, navigate processes, and seek assistance with applications.

Now, with the Planning & Development Manager, supported by external town planning expertise, Council is once again able to roll out the red carpet treatment to encourage and promote development throughout the Shire.

Our Chief Executive Officer, Michelle Clarke said the instigation of this role, which is dedicated to expediting development in Balonne, highlights a solid commitment from Council to address housing in the Shire.

“We know the rental market is very tight in Balonne at the moment and the work we’ve been undertaking with developers is seeing a range of housing opportunities in the pipeline”, said Mrs Clarke.

“Council has also amended the Development Incentive Policy to allow for Granny Flats to be incorporated in existing properties, which represents a great opportunity for homeowners to supplement their income while expanding housing stock with infill development.

"The Development Incentives Policy also includes several additional incentives designed to support new or expanding businesses and increase local housing supply, which include a 100% discount for dual occupancy or multiple dwelling developing and a 100% discount where applicants meet at least two of the economic impact criteria.

“We understand that housing needs vary throughout the market from single occupancy to family needs and we are aiming to ensure housing stock in the Shire meets the needs of all those sectors.

“If anyone is looking to develop a property in Balonne, please feel free to contact our Planning and Development Manager, as she’ll be more than happy to work with you on bringing your ideas to fruition.”

11/02/2026

We will be visiting soon 🎉

25/01/2026

🇦🇺🇦🇺Happy Australia Day Aussies 🇦🇺🇦🇺

23/01/2026

❤️ our country towns!

Out here, life moves a little differently… and we wouldn’t have it any other way 🤍

Businesses still close for lunch.
You can’t walk down the street without stopping for a friendly yarn.
And somehow, time itself feels like it slows right down.

It’s the kind of place where locals still know your name, kids can swap screens for sunshine, and there’s space to breathe, think and reset. If you’re dreaming of escaping the rat race, slowing down in 2026, or giving the family a proper technology break, the outback is calling.

And while we love the slower pace, don’t worry — you won’t be roughing it. We’ve got fully sealed roads, great wi-fi, and fantastic coffee ☕😉 Best of both worlds, really.

Small town feel. Big sense of calm.
That’s life out west — and us locals wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Image: Aerial View of Cunnamulla 2025