|
Candidates Meeting held at Maleny on the 26th April, 2012 |
|
Written by Les Fawkes
|
|
Friday, 27 April 2012 |
On
a cool Maleny night about 200 Maleny District residents attended a
Division 5 candidates meeting for the upcoming Sunshine Coast Regional
Council. The meeting, the last official one in a long list of
community meetings was held in the new Maleny State School general
purpose hall.
The meeting was addressed by the eight Mayoral hopeful candidates and the three division 5 candidates. It was convened by the Maleny District Sports and Recreation Club and was moderated by Mr. Rick Vickers, President of the Maleny Rotary Club.
The Maleny - Witta - Conondale areas are located in division 5 of the Sunshine Coast Regional Council and at the 2012 election there are three hopeful candidates standing. They are the incumbent sitting member, Ms Jenny Mc Kay along with hopefuls Charles Hodgson and Clive Plater.
For the Mayoral position there is a long list of eight candidates including, Matthew Ryan-Sykes, Brett Winkler, Michael Bloyce. Mark Jamieson, Debbie Blummel, Warren Blee, Kim Edwards and Jim Hopkins.
This election campaign was described by one hopeful as being the dirtiest one that he had witnessed and he had watched many.
Charles Hodgson opened the forum with his opening address during which he indicated that his vision is to foster an area which can provide sustainable jobs through the diversification of an areas economy beyond tourism and construction. It is councils job to provide vital infastructure such as roads and bridges, drainage and parking.
Sitting councillor Jenny McKay asked that people looked back on what she did in the past period of council where she was the portfolio holder of Policy and Community Programmes. She indicated that she was passionate about a sustainable future. She looked back on the provision of the Maleny Streetscape, The Maleny Community Precinct, the extensions to the Witta Recreation Club and Emergency Planning for Crystal Waters and Conondale along with the upgrade of the Cambroon Bridge and the opening of Postman’s Track at Conondale.
Eudlo hopeful, Clive Plater is a fourth generation sunshine coaster. His great grandfather served as a councillor of the Nambour Council between 1888 and 1905 and was present when the first stretch of bitumen surface was laid in Curry Street, Nambour in 1933. He indicated that his civil engineering background which spans over 40 years would give himself the ability to talk to council engineers on their own level when it came to providing better infastructure and common sense maintenance of council infastructure.
Michael Bloyce opened the forum for the Mayoral candidates. He will rely on his qualifications of business administration and law to bring leadership qualities to council. He wishes to follow on in the steps of the Ipswich Council and bring clean energy businesses such as those involved in education and IT to the Sunshine Coast to foster a sustainable future. He continued that the Sunshine Cost needs more full time jobs so that families could remain together and live on the Sunshine Coast. He believes that the council also needs to streamline operations and change the culture in council in an effort to cut waste and improve service to the community. He also believe that special levies should be phased out and those services funded from the general rate pool.
Debbie Blummel cited the management of population growth within the urban footprint as an important plank in her platform. As mayor she would lead a clean, green and innovative council ensuring sustainability into the future. She would ensure that council would work with the business community to increase the number of permanent jobs available throughout the Sunshine Coast.
Mark Jamieson pointed to his business background as being an important part of his appeal as Mayor of the Sunshine Coast. He said, “I have previously been the chief executive of a business with a staff of over 2000 and a budget that is similar to council. So I have the experience at running the council and I am ready to take the baton and hit the ground running.” He believes that there is no time to waste and as such he would contact both the Prime Minister and the Premier of Queensland to ensure that the Sunshine Coast became better placed with respect to infastructure which is presently lacking. He believes that private investment in the area is important so that jobs are available into the future.
Jim Hopkins indicated that he believes the recent council amalgamation weakened the ability of council to carry out the duties expected of it. A smaller council area would make council stronger and improve accountability and responsibility into council which is presently not always apparent. He indicated that he believes that when council wastes money it is tantamount to stealing as that money is not council money, but belongs to the ratepayers. He would like to introduce a method of a free “tip” or rubbish removal scheme, possibly by vouchers included with the rate notices.
Kim Edwards said that she and her family have lived on the Sunshine Coast since 1974. She has worked in 59 countries, including Afghanistan and Iraq and other war zones with NGO’s in the export and education fields. Ms Edwards elaborated on her strong administrative skills in running a large business. She will work to ensuring a strong economy base for the Sunshine Coast. Ms Edwards said, “This election on Saturday is about trust and passion to do the job and I will be dam proud and honoured to be elected to the job of Mayor of the Sunshine Coast.”
Matthew Ryan-Sykes said that by introducing long term sustainable jobs via the creation of a Solar City for Nambour the Sunshine Coast area would have a more sustainable future and an enhanced biodiversity. He holds a bachelor of science and business administration. His number one concern is the provision of an efficient public transport system, including a light rail scheme. A greater community participation in council decisions. Mr. Ryan-Sykes said, “I don’t think that we need two story centre at Mary Cairncross Park. I believe that we need better connectivity to our habitats and better care for our plant species.”
Brett Winkler indicated that he had a jobs target of an extra 18,000 positions along with a target of 25,000 new education and training placements and these would be spread through the council area, including the hinterland areas. He also believes that fast broadband for all individuals and businesses is necessary to link opportunities back to the people of the area. He would also set up community consultative committees so that people have direct access to councils. He said, “It is time for a new economic era based on common sense and a balanced approach for the people so that the community is once again re-connected with council.”
Voting on Saturday April 28th, 2012 is compulsory for registered voters. The polling booths are open between 8a.m. and 6p.m. The cut off date for postal votes is May 8th, 2012.
|
|
Last Updated ( Monday, 11 June 2012 )
|
Range News 2005 - ON 
