Growth and decline
Without a doubt the greatest challenge faced by council is not having the funding to do what we would like to do “sooner rather than later” while meeting the expectations of ratepayers. We are also challenged with the cost shifting to Local Government of activities that are historically financed by other levels of Government.
Katherine is a service centre for the surrounding 400,000 square kilometres. We support a significant tourism drive market, other important industries are horticulture, agriculture and defence. The Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal is close by and growing. Some $500million is being spent on defence development in this region during the next five years. Until last year mining was also a major contributor to our economy but we are currently in the “bust” cycle of Boom or Bust.
Participation is important
I have been committed to this beautiful region since I arrived in 1989 and fell in love with it. I have always believed that wherever you live you should participate at whatever level you can to make your hometown the best you can. I was first elected to council at a by-election in 2003. The following year I was elected (coincidently at another by-election) to the NT Legislative Assembly. Unfortunately I had a serious vehicle accident in 2006 and retired from the Legislative Assembly in 2008. I came back to Local Government after being elected Mayor in 2012 and am thoroughly enjoying the privilege of again representing our community.
There aren’t too many days go by that I am not involved somehow in my community, usually in my position as mayor. I am also a civil celebrant performing all forms of ceremonies, which gives me a good balance of our communities social activities.
I don’t actually have “work hours”, with many functions in the evenings – so socialising is definitely high on my list of interests. But in addition I very much enjoy my large garden, my family and friends, my faithful old dog, travel, civil celebrant activities – and keeping reasonably fit and healthy.
Small changes and big achievements
Council is often blamed for problems that are entirely out of our control, and some “keyboard warriors” have strong opinions but not when they speak in public. However, being able to assist someone with their issue or point them in the right direction even though it may not be relevant to local government is very satisfying.
A personal achievement has been lobbying to have glass wine bottles replaced with plastic wine bottles to eliminate the incredible amount of broken glass problems throughout the town. The improvement was immediately noticeable. Following on a very short time later was the introduction of “Temporary Beat Locations”. Police officers were placed outside our licensed outlets during trading hours to stop people from drinking take away liquor in restricted areas – another huge success in addressing anti social behaviour in our town.
Our natural wonders
Living in the centre of so many rivers and National Parks, I couldn’t go past Nitmiluk Gorge as being our premier ‘natural wonders’ attraction, followed closely by the Katherine Hot Springs.
Future plans for my term in office include implementation of the proposals from the Katherine Region Economic Development Committee that complement our short and long term strategic plan. One of those proposals includes extensive mountain bike tracks along our beautiful Katherine River corridor to Nitmiluk National Park. We are currently in the community consultation stage of developing the Katherine River corridor from the Katherine Low Level to the Katherine Hospital – with the first stage focussing on upgrades to the Katherine Hot Springs, a beautiful well-utilised area. Upgrades will begin in the dry season when we are guaranteed of a stable water level in the river.
