Mayor Lorraine Pyefinch, Bundaberg Regional Council, Qld
Q. How long have you been on Council?
I was first elected to Council in 1994. At the age of 31, I was the youngest female ever elected to Bundaberg City Council. I served two terms, but due to family and business commitments (my husband and I owned a medical software company), I chose not to run for Council in 2000. With a sense of ‘unfinished business’, I ran again and was re-elected in 2004. In 2007, when the Queensland State Government announced that Bundaberg City Council would be amalgamated with the Shires of Burnett, Isis and Kolan, I decided to stand for the position of Mayor and was elected in March of this year.
Q. Why did you become involved in Local Government?
As a young mum with two small children, I was concerned that the ‘old men’ who were then sitting Councillors did not appear to have any idea what families like mine needed from their Local Government. After being elected to Council, I was impressed by the breadth of Council activities and responsibilities and was quickly immersed in learning about what makes councils tick.
Q. Tell us about your Local Government area.
The new Bundaberg Regional Council covers an area of around 6,000 square kilometres and has a population of just under 90,000 people. Our economy is based on a rich agricultural and horticultural region, famous for sugar cane, small crops, citrus and tree crops. It also boasts a booming agribusiness sector, being the home of the famous Bundaberg Rum, Bundaberg Ginger Beer and Austchilli to name a few. We have a growing heavy machinery manufacturing sector and are also home to some nationally recognised medical software development businesses. All this within an area with a mild subtropical climate and a lifestyle that is the envy of most.
Q. What issues are important to you?
Amalgamation is a main priority in this term of Council. With four separate work cultures and over 750 employees, the new regional Council is working hard to bring our community together. Like much of the eastern seaboard, the Bundaberg region is experiencing unprecedented growth and it is very important that we manage that growth in order to maintain the relaxed lifestyle that we enjoy.
Q. What challenges are facing your Council?
Rapid escalation in fuel and construction costs, coupled with acute skills shortages in many areas, is having a major impact on the ability of Council to provide the necessary services and infrastructure demanded by our community.
Q. What innovative projects is your Council working on?
Bundaberg has a rich history in aviation and today is the home of Australia’s largest aircraft manufacturer, Jabiru. In December, we officially open the new Hinkler Hall of Aviation – a $7.5 million tourism attraction based around the heroic feats of aviation pioneer, Bert Hinkler, who was the first person to fly solo from the UK to Australia.
Q. What has been your greatest achievement on Council?
Being elected the third consecutive female Mayor indicates that our community has great confidence in the ability of women to lead our community. I am humbled by the opportunity that I have been given to serve the people of Bundaberg region in this capacity.
Q. What is the best part about being a Councillor?
Some people tell me that I must have the worst job being Mayor of a newly amalgamated council, with a population bigger than the City of Darwin, spread across an area larger that Greater London. I think it is the best job I have ever had. One day I am in a meeting with my Councillors, discussing the strategic direction for our community, then I am greeting the State Governor for a community function, and the next day I am at a graduation ceremony at the Salvos for a group of young people who after years struggling on the ‘wrong side of the tracks’ have turned their lives around. I believe Local Government is the ultimate way anyone can serve their community.
Mayor Paul Pisasale, Ipswich City Council, Qld
Q. How long have you been on Council?
I have been a Councillor since 1991, but took a short break in 1994 prior to the amalgamation of Moreton Shire and Ipswich City Councils. I was elected Mayor in 2004 and again in March this year.
Q. Why did you become involved in Local Government?
I was frustrated with the lack of long term planning and felt Council needed a more business like approach. Instead of complaining, I got involved and put my hand up for public office.
I also ran my own business at the time, so I felt I had something to contribute. Another reason was my children telling me the City had nothing to offer them. Ipswich now has two universities, an award winning TAFE and one of the lowest unemployment rates in Queensland. In the early 1990s the City had lost its way. Traditional industries were closing down and our young people were leaving. Now we are welcoming 100 new residents every week, as the City experiences the most significant period of growth in our history.
Q. Tell us about your Local Government area.
Ipswich is a city of just over 1,000 square kilometres, with a current population of 155,000. From the 1840s until the early 1990s our economy relied mainly on coal mining, railways and woollen mills. The coal mining and woollen mills are now gone, except for one last remaining rural mine. Today we are firmly looking to the future with a booming aerospace precinct at RAAF Base Amberley, and education with the universities, TAFE and many highly regarded public and private schools. Master planned communities are now a feature of the newer areas of the City.
Q. What issues are important to you?
People issues. The role of Mayor is not a title, it is a responsibility you have to the people. I love working with residents to take the City forward. Pride in Ipswich is one of the biggest things we have achieved.
Q. What challenges are facing your Council?
Growth. A few short years ago, the City was growing by 400 people a year. In the last year, we have grown by 5,000, or around 100 people every week. These are incredible numbers and reinforce the need for proper planning and investment in critical infrastructure supported by all levels of government. The latest predictions for growth have propelled Ipswich to the top of the Local Government list in Queensland, with a forecast 4.6 per cent average annual increase. In the year 2031, our population will be 434,000, up from the 155,000 residents we have today.
Q. What innovative projects is your Council working on?
Firstly, quality of lifestyle with a strong sense of community, as it is important we maintain our sense of place and feeling of wellbeing. Ipswich has 43 per cent of available industrial land in southeast Queensland, so we can create jobs close to where people live, thus avoiding the long commute, which can eat into quality time with family and friends. Thirdly, our focus on education will continue with the University of Queensland Ipswich campus and the University of Southern Springfield campus, and in the future the Harvard Medical School.
Q. What has been your greatest achievement on Council?
All the things we have been able to achieve for the community, including some that were not recognised as normal business of Council at the time. Ipswich was the first Local Government to set up an internet service provider (ISP) in 1994. This was a time when few people had an email address, let alone dialup internet access.
Council also has a dedicated Office of Economic Development, providing a valuable resource for potential investors in Ipswich and offering assistance for businesses large and small.
Q. What is the best part about being a Councillor?
The changing nature of the job is what keeps me going. One minute I can be meeting with the Prime Minister and the next I’m talking to a resident about a barking dog. I’m really enjoying the challenges presented on a daily basis. I like to start the day very early with a visit to the gym or attending a business breakfast. I’ve worked hard to keep stress to a minimum so
I can enjoy the job and continue to promote our City.
