Councillor Discretionary Fund

Published on 12 December 2024

As per Section 202 of the Queensland Local Government Regulations 2012, the Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council (Council) has allocated each Councillor a $100,000 ‘discretionary fund’ in the 2024/25 annual budget.

As per sub-section 4 of S202, a Councillor may use their discretionary funds in any of the following ways:

(a) to spend for a community purpose;

(b) to allocate for capital works of the local government that are for a community purpose, but only with the approval of:

(i) if the councillor is the mayor—the deputy mayor and the chief executive officer; or

(ii) otherwise—the mayor and the chief executive officer;

Below is the discretionary fund allocation each Councillor has made:

Mayor Lacey:

$50,000.00 for a new community recognition monument in the mall.
$25,000.00 to Palm Island Junior Rugby League for the 2025 season.
$25,000.00 to a life size bronze statue of Mr Vern Daisy to be installed as part of ongoing upgrades to the Palm Island Sports Precinct.
$5,000.00 to Palm Island Community Support fund.

Deputy Mayor Oui:

$90,000.00 for the operation of the Palm Island Community Church.
$10,000.00 to Palm Island Community Support Fund.

Councillor Germaine Bulsey:

$50,000.00 on community gym at the sports precinct.
$20,000.00 to a vehicle for the ‘Two Way Strong’ program run through Bwgcolman Community School.
$20,000.00 to Palm Island Junior Rugby League for the 2025 season.
$10,000.00 to a community funeral support fund that is open to any community member for funerals on Palm Island to cover burial costs up to $1,500.00 per funeral through a simple application process. Costs for wakes etc are not included

Councillor Ebanese Oui

$30,000.00 to the 35 seat Bwgcolman Community Bus to be based in Townsville for community use.
$20,000.00 to Palm Island Junior Rugby League for the 2025 season.
$20,000.00 for a community funeral support fund that is open to any community member for funerals on Palm Island to cover burial costs up to $1,500.00 per funeral through a simple application process. Costs for wakes etc are not included.
$20,000.00 for jetty upgrades, including stainless steel fish cleaning benches, water tap/hose and new seating.
$10,000.00 for a new community recognition monument in the mall.

Councillor Telstan Sibley

$100,000.00 on community gym at the sports precinct.

Please contact Council with any queries on 07 4770 0200 or at reception:-@palmcouncil.qld.gov.au