Nature and productivity
The natural beauty of our region is my favorite part of the council area. The potential of our rainfall resources and preserving the third of Australia’s biodiversity in our rainforests are important issues to me.
Approximately half of our area is being conserved as native forest or listed as a world heritage area, making our region very special. Additionally it is also the local government area in Australia with the greatest value of rural production based on sugar cane and bananas.
The biggest challenges facing the council is balancing the level of service against its affordability, and balancing conservation outcomes with development priorities.
Viability in general given increased urbanisation, vagaries of weather, cost pressures and viable returns from farming operations are the key challenges currently facing rural councils.
Unquestionably the rebuilding of the backlog of infrastructure, including water, sewerage and bridges, has been an important success during my time in local government.
Current innovative projects the council is working on include a new pool for Mission Beach, a new library for Innisfail, upgraded showgrounds for Tully and road access to the interior from Cardwell.
Cyclone Yasi
The job of mayor is not difficult per say, but it is challenging to continually meet expectations, especially when issues are outside of council control, like cyclones.
The overwhelming offers of sympathy and support at the time of Tropical Cyclone Yasi, one of the biggest weather systems on a world scale to come ashore, and to achieve “no lives lost”, was a very memorable time for me on council.
In the future I hope to complete the huge Tropical Cyclone Yasi recovery works program and re-invigorate economic activity in the region.
Time as a Councillor
I became involved in Local Government as amalgamation created challenges that I was interested in playing a part in resolving, especially as problems were largely financial. Since then I have been on Council for six years.
The key aspects of being a good councillor are, having a solid value system, being a good listener, having the courage to stick to your convictions, persistence
and determination.
Restoring financial viability from the distressed state before amalgamation has been my greatest achievement on council.
Every day as a councilor is very interesting, from the variety of challenges to the people met. I also always thoroughly enjoy the citizenship ceremonies and speaking to schoolchildren.
Not always being in a position to help people, and the loss of a good deal of personal freedom and family time is the worst part of being a councillor however.
The best advice I have received is don’t try to please everyone, and to have an open mind on issues.
The most satisfying part of being a councillor is making a difference in the community.
Just as individuals are a small part of community, local government is a small part of government, and I want to influence regional outcomes and other levels of government for the benefit of our locals.
I want to leave this role with the council and community in a better place than when I commenced, a bit like life really.
