Thomas and Crown Motor
The town, which is situated in the southern Queensland coastal region, has a population of 25,000 people, and a growth rate of about 1. 8 % per annum. Its economy is based largely on the timber and beef industries. The town boasts what has, in the past, been one of the most profitable service abattoirs in Australia, and the largest live cattle marketing centre in Queensland. The council owns and operates the abattoirs and the saleyards. It has also just installed a new 6 million dollar water treatment plant, and it must soon upgrade the local sewage treatment plant. The Council is entrusted with the task of maintaining and improving a network of roads and drainage systems, about twenty parks and reserves, other recreational facilities and a regional library. Annual expenditure on these items is about 12 million dollars. The Council is also responsible for planning the municipality's growth. The organisation comprises a local tax payer - elected council of nine members, an administrative staff of twenty-nine and a field and workshop staff of forty-five.