Councillor Profiles is a regular feature. This month we feature two Councillors from Queensland.
Councillor Charlene Hall, Western Downs Regional Council, Qld
Q. How long have you been on council?
This is my first term on Council. I’ve always had an interest in Local Government and an opinion on how things should be done in our town. I figured that I had no right to criticise how Council did things if I didn’t have a go myself, but because I had a young family, I felt the timing was never quite right. However, with the elections in March 2008 and with my two children getting a bit older (Will 7 and Kennedy 6), I thought this was finally my opportunity. But those plans were nearly postponed for another four years, because I was pregnant and due in April. I was beginning to wonder if the timing would ever be right, but with my two businesses sold and with the encouragement of my husband, I finally followed my heart and nominated with about an hour to spare. So at eight months pregnant, I went on a two day whirlwind campaign across the countryside!
Q. Why did you become involved in Local Government?
Because I’m mad, I’m a glutton for punishment, I didn’t really like my friends anyway and I wanted an excuse to never see my family again!
No seriously, I have a real passion for the old style values of which our communities are proud. Located in the heart of the Surat Basin, Western Downs Regional Council is currently experiencing massive growth. I want to ensure we manage this growth and retain the values that make our communities so special.
Q. How has life changed since being on Council?
I love my soccer, so I still manage to find time for that every Sunday, but I’ve had to give up just about everything else and I’m yet to watch my daughter play a game of touch this season.
With our region covering an area of more than 30,000 square kilometres, a simple meeting in Wandoan usually means getting home at about midnight. But it’s so important that all of our towns are represented, and getting to know what makes these vibrant little communities tick has been another great experience.
Q. What issues are important to you?
If an issue is important to the community, it is important to me. As Councillors, we have to vote on all issues, so while we have portfolios, I think it is equally important to ensure I remain informed and up to date on as much as I possibly can, even if it’s not in my portfolio.
However, to be specific, the various impacts of the Coal Seam Gas Industry and the Coal Mining Industry, the shortage of water in our rapidly growing towns, the fight of our farmers for their land, the social impacts of the resources boom (shortage of daycares, doctors, schools and recreational facilities), badly deteriorating roads and the balance of development against our aging infrastructure.
Most importantly is the lack of funding available to help our Council keep up with this massive growth. The biggest issue is the constant battle we seem to have with the Queensland Government to be heard. We are on the cusp of such massive impacts here and it feels like the State doesn’t seem to recognise that anything exists west of Ipswich.
This area continues to provide the State Government with massive royalties and maybe one day it will realise the value of this area and come to the party to help us keep abreast of this growth.
Q. What innovative projects is your council working on?
We are in heavy negotiations with all Coal Seam Gas Companies within our region regarding the beneficial use of their byproduct of Coal Seam Gas water as a possible water supply for our towns. This has never been done anywhere in the world and Council is determined to work with these companies to see the water put to a beneficial use for our towns. This has been a huge challenge and has many obstacles yet to overcome. The proposal will require the assistance of all levels of government and we continue to lobby all spheres to partner us through this world first.
Mayor Col Meng, Mackay Regional Council, Qld
Q. How long have you been on Council?
I was appointed Mayor of Mackay Regional Council at the amalgamation of three councils in March 2008. I have always been involved in community organisations, such as the Chamber of Commerce and the Mackay Area Consultative Committee, however when I sold my business in 2007, the door opened to this opportunity. I saw it as a way to make a bigger difference in my local area and in a region I am passionate about.
Q. Why did you become involved in Local Government?
I believe Local Government is a key link to the community and that a special effort is necessary to be open, transparent and engaging.
To be the inaugural Mayor of a newly formed region was the opportunity to shift the culture and way of thinking within the organisation and with residents. I feel we have achieved a lot over the last 19 months and I will continue to be an advocate of open communication while I am involved in Local Government.
Q. Why do you love the Mackay region?
We are very lucky to have such a fantastic lifestyle. I can look out over the blue Pioneer River with family and friends, choose to dine in idyllic temperatures at the harbour, or take a short trip out to one of the islands. Our region offers wonderful services and facilities that cater to all interests and ages and I think we are extremely lucky to have this city/region balance where we can choose to venture elsewhere for new experiences or make the most of the opportunities that lie on our doorstep.
Q. What innovative projects or policies is your Council working on?
On the list is the innovative Mackay Water Recycling Project – the largest regional water reuse scheme of its kind in Queensland and one of the biggest in regional Australia. It protects the reef from more than 250 tonnes of nutrients per year and recycles approximately 90 per cent of Mackay’s wastewater so it can then be used to irrigate sugarcane crops and to support the abattoir.
I believe Council should be a good corporate citizen and that involves having the will to continually fight for the betterment of all. Paramount to the outcomes, people involved with an organisation need to believe in what they do and it’s after this that everything else will fall in to place.
Q. What challenges are facing Council?
With the Mackay region welcoming about 5,000 new people each year (4.4 per cent growth per annum), Council is working hard to plan for the region’s growth. We need to be proactive and vocal about the importance of funding to deliver the required level of services and facilities. This involves the consideration of issues such as climate change, infrastructure demands and employment levels.
Q. What do you most enjoy about being Mayor?
I find people contact particularly rewarding, and as Mayor I get to talk with a diverse range of people on a day to day basis. It is great when I can listen to problems and then look at ways to make improvements. I enjoy seeing the changes I make and the differences these decisions have in the community.
Q. Tell us about a specific success you have had in Local Government.
The amalgamation of three councils was always going to be a challenge, particularly because it was involuntary and the idea of change scared many people. However, I think we did this in a very efficient and cooperative manner and it is a priority of mine to ensure that we continually service all areas of the region.
Q. What do you hope to achieve in the future?
My main goals are to run Council in a professional, businesslike manner and for Mackay Regional Council to be recognised as the council of achievements. We have wonderful staff that set goals and work hard to ensure we are in line of reaching them. I think it’s important we cater for growth and this requires an increase in staff and in the overall skill acquisition of the region. The bottom line is that to achieve efficiency you need professionalism at all levels of government.
