The decision was made at a Goondiwindi Regional Council meeting last week.

The name was suggested by Acting-Mayor Cr Rick Kearney.

“The Billsboroughs are well known throughout the district and George who is presently at Kaloma, is a returned serviceman,” he said.

George served in Greece before being captured by the Germans.

Tragically his father Herbert died in the arms of George’s younger brother Neville on Christmas Day 1943.

Both were Japanese P.O.Ws on the Burma Railway.

The decision to change the name came because there is a “Ward’s Road” a few kilometres further east on Kildonan Road.

The Goondiwindi Regional Council will consider placing plaques on streets and roads named after pioneering families.

The topic was raised when councillors discussed changing Ward Street, on the eastern fringe of Goondiwindi, to Billsborough Street at last week’s meeting.

“If you call it after early settlers there may not be any relatives left in town. (You) May need to explain who they were,” Cr Rick McDougall said. The matter was first raised by Cr Sharon Lee who said it might be possible to get the Goondiwindi Historical Society involved in the process.

She said it would be a constructive approach, not just for local residents, but was more tourism friendly.

The only note of caution came from Cr Rob Rearden who said: “As long as we keep the dosh down”.

The Goondiwindi Regional Council has made urgent repairs to a pipe at the Texas Swimming Pool.

The new pipe will cost $500.

Acting-Mayor Cr Rick Kearney said it was done as a matter of urgency. Acting Chief Executive Officer Carl Manton told Council if it had ruptured which was likely, it would have closed the pool down for a substantial period of time.

Old shade sails should be replaced at the pool by next week.

The Goondiwindi Regional Council will help Yelarbon residents construct a Rose Memorial at the Yelarbon Cemetery.

The Memorial will be dedicated to families who have been the “backbone” of the community.

Council will assist with construction of the Memorial.

The estimated cost is less than $1000.

The Goondiwindi Regional Council asset’s jumped by $10million, and all with the stroke of a pen.

In the past the Goondiwindi Town Council’s 1800mg high-priority water licence was not recognised as a Council asset.

A State Regional Operations’ Plan handed down in March has changed all that.

The licence is now recognised and adds at least $10million to the Council’s asset register.

Acting Chief Executive Officer Carl Manton said in real terms it doesn’t mean anything because while Council could sell the asset, he couldn’t see it selling a water licence.

“We need the water and you can’t put a price on that,” he said.

“That said I don’t know any big businesses or companies who wouldn’t like to see an extra $10million on the bottom line,” he said.

Goondiwindi Regional Councillors received a dressing down at last week’s Council meeting.

It was the calm before the storm.

Acting-Mayor Cr Rick Kearney became frustrated after Councillor Rick McDougall said he wanted more time to investigate the ramifications of a proposed building application.

Admonishing all councillors, he said: “We’ve had the (briefing) papers for five days. I suggest you should all read them and visit these places before the meeting,” he said.

Speaking after the meeting, he said it was important for councillors to use their briefing notes prior to a meeting so they can “hit the ground running”.

“It’s vitally important and a pet hate of mine,” he said.

Cr Kearney then closed the meeting so Councillors Rob Rearden and McDougall could inspect the site.

The meeting was closed for 40 minutes.

It was a decision which led to the fieriest clash of the day.

On announcing his intention to close the meeting, Cr Sharon Lee protested. She wanted a vote taken on the issue before she left for a prior commitment.

“I’m not going to call for a vote just because you have to go,” Cr Kearney said.

“I assure you if a vote is taken and I’m not here I’ll take the matter further than this,” she said.

Cr Kearney closed the meeting and it resumed 40 minutes later.

Cr Lee returned to the meeting shortly after.

Council has postponed its decision so it can investigate the application further.