Councillor Profiles is a regular feature. This month we are featuring two Councillors from Queensland.
Councillor Frank Beveridge, Deputy Mayor, Charters Towers City Council, Queensland
Q. How long have you been on Council?
I have been on Council for six years. My first term was four years, and I am currently halfway through the second term.
Q. Why did you want to become involved in Local Government?
When I stood for Council, I thought some younger people could contribute to decision making. The youngest Councillor at the time was almost 20 years my senior. While no Council reflects the community make up exactly, I think that a bit of diversity is always good.
Our Council is only part time, allowing Councillors to have a business or job as well. My wife and I have a carpet cleaning business in Charters Towers. We have four children.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience of Council and get a thrill out of developing facilities for my community, starting with an idea and following it through to completion. It is very satisfying to be in a position that enables me to make a difference in my community.
Q. Can you tell us about your Local Government area?
Charters Towers is located approximately 130 kilometres west of Townsville in North Queensland. We have a population of around 8,500 people. It is an old goldmining town settled in the 1870s. Much of the main street architecture has survived from this period.
While goldmining still goes on, Charters Towers is also a busy cattle centre, with Dalrymple Sale Yards selling approximately 150,000 head of cattle per year. We have three private boarding schools, a school of distance education and four state schools, making education an important contributor to the town. At any given time, we have about 400 teachers employed here.
Q. What are the specific issues currently facing your Council?
Charters Towers is centrally located in Dalrymple Shire. While the town itself has a radius of about six kilometres, the Dalrymple Shire surrounding us is approximately 400 kilometres from one side to the other. With the State Government currently threatening amalgamations of Councils in North Queensland, we could be one of the first amalgamated. We are told that if we work efficiently with our neighbouring Council and share resources, we will be left alone.
We share our water system and local landfill with many Dalrymple Shire residents and the two Councils have worked together carrying out road works on commonly used roads. But, if we are seen as being too efficient with our neighbouring Council, the State Government could easily make the argument that we should be amalgamated.
It is good that the State Government is concerned with our efficiency and wellbeing, but with their current record of managing electricity, health and so forth, asking Local Government to be more efficient is ridiculous. I think we should all take a good look at the Government structure within Australia. I believe we are over governed. Removal of the State Governments would move a few more services and a lot more money to Local Government.
Q. What are the key aspects of being a good Councillor?
Being a good Councillor means being a good listener and putting the ratepayer first. I often see State and Federal political games being played in some larger Councils and points being made in the media. I believe decisions would be a lot easier if our loyalties were only to the ratepayers. Having said all that, I realise too that sometimes it is a necessary evil to be aligned with a major political party to become elected into some Councils, although this could still cloud your judgement.
Councillor Cherie Dalley, Logan City Council, Queensland
Q. How long have you been on Council?
I have been on Council for almost nine years. I was first elected in 1997.
Q. Why did you want to become involved in Local Government?
I believe it is much the same reason for all elected representatives at all levels – a chance to make a difference, to make your little part of the world a little better. I have lived in the area I represent for 25 years and am enjoying the chance to have an impact on its growth and development.
Q. Can you tell us about your Local Government area?
Logan City is mostly an urban city. The area I represent (Division 8) is almost completely urban with a major regional shopping centre, business precinct and a variety of housing styles from acreage to units. Council has a large proportion of young people, with some 35 per cent of the population under 25 years. Division 8 reflects this demographic.
The city is unique as it is dissected by three major highways/motorways creating ease of travel to all points of the compass.
Q. What are some of the challenges you have faced in Local Government?
Due to the demographics, there are a number of youth related challenges, particularly involving facilities for them now and in the future. Graffiti has been a major challenge that has been addressed through a range of successful programs, including rapid removal and city beautification. This has resulted in a reduction of approximately 67 per cent over the past five years.
The annual question of rate rises is always a challenge. How to meet community and Councillors’ expectations for new facilities and still maintain our current high standard of operational funding is a question we are currently engaged in answering. As the Finance and Governance Chair, this is very important to me personally.
Q. What are the specific issues currently facing your Council?
Currently, it is the election of a new Mayor as our incumbent Mayor unexpectedly resigned recently. Looking at the bigger picture, the most important issue is major changes occurring in the South East Queensland region due to projected population growth. Council needs to plan for infrastructure that will be required, and how to fund it. Council also needs to address the question of how Logan City will look in five to ten years time, as there is some discussion of possible City/Shire boundary changes within the region.
Q. What are the key aspects of being a good Councillor?
Keep in touch with your community, listen, listen and then listen some more. Take your elected role seriously but never take yourself too seriously. Always act honestly with all those you deal with, including staff and other elected members.
Q. Would you encourage others to stand for elected office?
If I believed the person was prepared to work very hard, was committed to doing the best for the whole community, had a sense of humour and the strength to take the hard times, I definitely would.
