A regular feature this month profiling two Councillors from Queensland
Councillor Paul Tully, City of Ipswich, Qld.
Q. How long have you been on Council?
I was first elected at the age of 27 in March 1979, becoming the youngest Councillor elected in the City’s history since its formation in 1860.
Q. When and how did you first get involved in Local Government?
I had been actively involved in my local community of Goodna but I have always had an interest in politics, particularly since my days as a university student in the late 1960s. From 1979 to 1995, we were part time Councillors but with the amalgamation of Ipswich City and Moreton Shire in 1995, we all became full time.
Q. Tell us about yourself, your Council and your community.
I am married with three children. I am a full time Councillor with a local electorate office in the middle of my Division, which is located in Ipswich’s eastern suburbs about midway between Brisbane and Ipswich. Ipswich has a population of 135,000 and is divided into ten single member electoral divisions with a popularly elected Mayor. I am the Chair of the Finance and Special Purposes Committee and the Planning and Development Committee.
Q. What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in Local Government?
The ever dwindling Federal grants over the years have been the source of the greatest challenge to Local Government around Australia. In addition, communities now have much greater expectations of their Councils and Councillors, beyond roads, rates and rubbish, which puts even greater financial pressure on Councils. The devolution of responsibility by the State to Local Government for licensing and enforcement of things such as environmental issues, without any corresponding financial assistance, is adding to the burden of Local Government and affecting people’s capacity to pay.
Q. What are some important issues to you?
I would like to see the Federal Government’s Cost Shifting Inquiry become a blueprint for the rationalisation of the delivery of government services around Australia, with Local Government taking on a major role in education, health, housing and law enforcement. This would involve the reduction in the number of Councils around Australia and a form of regional government based on our Local Government model. Councillors in all large cities around Australia should be full time to properly service their communities rather than trying to juggle their municipal and personal work commitments at the same time.
Q. What are some unique issues facing your Local Government area?
Ipswich’s CBD is only 40 kilometres from the heart of Brisbane. As the closest provincial city in Australia to any capital city, we are under enormous pressure to compete with Brisbane for shopping, community and social facilities. At present, we have some $370 million in retail escape expenditure from Ipswich to Brisbane every year. With the advent of our new Gateway CBD at Springfield in the city’s east, we hope to trap most of that expenditure within a few short years.
Q. Does your Council play a large role in attracting tourism to Ipswich?
Ipswich has a major niche tourism market in south east Queensland. This ranges from our heritage city theme, to the nationally recognised Willowbank Motorsports Complex, to our new world class rail museum and our emerging wine industry. Council provides major financial incentives and assistance to boost tourism in the city.
Q. What are the key aspects of being a good Councillor?
Being straightforward with constituents and third parties, such as developers; having a firm grip on all issues currently before Council and being prepared to stand up and speak out on tough – and even unpopular – issues affecting the local community.
Q. How do you foresee the future of Local Government in Australia?
I see a bright future with unlimited opportunities but with ever increasing financial constraints.
Q. What qualities can young people offer Local Government?
Innovation, persistence, resilience and a will to succeed, but of course, many older Councillors possess those very same qualities.
Mayor Kay McDuff, City of Bundaberg, Qld.
Q. How long have you been on Council?
Twelve years.
Q. When and how did you first get involved in Local Government?
Having been a Deputy Principal in a local High School and involved in a range of community groups, I was eager to participate in the future of the City.
Q. Tell us about yourself, your Council and your community.
I have been a long term resident of Bundaberg. I am married and a mother of three sons. I have been involved in educating students in the city for 26 years, making contact during that time with many parents, business people and other community members. I felt I had a range of skills which I developed in my career in education and extensive community involvement which could be geared to a role as a Councillor, particularly given my ongoing desire to foster strong community spirit. My fellow Councillors have a variety of skills and work cooperatively in the best interests of the City. My community is vibrant, caring and generous. It has proved that it can work through difficult periods, such as drought and hard economic times, and come up fighting.
Q. What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in Local Government?
- Leading a team of Councillors through a period of significant change, both legislative and operational.
- Ensuring Council’s achievement of its corporate goals.
- Keeping residents happy.
Q. What are some important issues to you?
- Future planning of the City.
- Creating a good climate for existing businesses.
- Attracting outside investment to stimulate employment opportunities for local residents.
- Ensuring that local residents continue to enjoy a lifestyle second to none.
Q. What are some unique issues facing your Local Government area?
- Provision of additional water for industry and the farming community.
- High unemployment levels.
- Waste management issues.
Q. Does your Council play a large role in attracting tourism to Bundaberg?
Yes, through a significant monetary contribution to the local Regional Tourist Organisation and also through Council’s own Visitor Information Centre, which complements the marketing activities of the Regional Tourist Organisation.
Q. What are the key aspects of being a good Councillor?
- To remain calm in the face of adversity.
- To be open, available, honest and to have integrity.
- To have a good understanding of financial management.
- To possess good communication skills.
- To be a good listener.
- To be a good team player.
- To have a good background knowledge of the role of Local Government.
- To know one’s community.
Q. How do you foresee the future of Local Government in Australia?
Local Government, I believe, is an integral part of overall Government. Its strength lies fundamentally in that it allows for community involvement in the decision making process.
Q. What qualities can young people offer Local Government?
- A contemporary view.
- Exuberance.
- Ability to work across many disciplines.
- Frankness.
