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POLICIES
Financial Management
Professional and accountable financial assessment and management will underpin and provide the basis for all Council operations,
including: -
Benchmarking against current Local Government best practice for all costs and services, to ensure optimal functioning and
minimum costs for ratepayers
Designing fair and equitable differential rating policies, consistently applied across the whole Region, phased in over
time and, if practicable, achieved during the first term
Keeping rates down by maximising the State Government Amalgamation Assistance Package and by improved efficiencies
Fighting for adequate compensation from the State Government for the very serious error made by State Treasury in wrongly
viewing $23.5m of one-off Cyclone Larry payments as being recurrent funding to the region
Planning
A consistent planning code will be introduced across the Shire, developed in consultation with the community, allowing
for appropriate, phased, sustainable development, including: -
Releasing land for considered, sustainable growth, based on forward population projections, not ad hoc approvals
Re-assessment of sub divisional codes, for example road widths in new subdivisions, to ensure adequate access, parking
and safety for residents
Ensuring development risks are the responsibility of the developer, and that cost over runs for development infrastructure
are not borne by the ratepayer
Expecting appropriate developer contributions
Protecting our unique Wet Tropics environment, with development to be appropriate to our Region and its irreplaceable World
Heritage surroundings
Governance
The emphasis and expectation will be for proper procedures and efficiency, including:
Strictly applying the Councillor Code of Conduct for Local Government, currently being upgraded by the Queensland State
Government, to ensure efficient, proper functioning of Council, with expectations of respectful behaviour and a good work
ethic
Providing strong chairmanship to lift the standards of governance and debate in Council meetings
Ensuring that Council and councillors actively participate in providing strategy and broad policy directions
Expecting all department heads to be accountable for the services delivered by their departments
Infrastructure and Development of Facilities
The development of facilities will be well planned, and guidelines will be set up for future project tendering. As Mayor
I will take responsibility for all Council’s major projects.
Infrastructure works will be prioritised and delivered before crisis point is reached, accounting for future growth needs,
including: -
Timely upgrading of services in consultation with senior staff, including plans for Innisfail’s future sewerage and
water needs and Cardwell township’s sewerage
Examining residential urban areas in relation to channel and kerbing, prioritising to address backlogs, and ensuring all
future subdivisions include an appropriate developer service contribution
Addressing the critical shortage of industrial land
Reviewing the plans and budget for the proposed Multi Purpose Centre (Tully Hall) at Tully High School
Reviewing and updating the existing feasibility studies for the proposed Mission Beach Pool
Overseeing the Bruce Highway upgrade, with the expectation that it is completed as planned, to budget and on time
Conservation
We must act with awareness of the need to protect our Wet Tropics environment and its unique biodiversity, recognising
both the intrinsic and economic value of our environment, including: -
Working in conjunction with a conservation strategy based on the FNQ 2025 vision – the Queensland Government’s
regional statutory planning process
Reviewing of current regulations regarding threatened species
Developing an energy and resource conservation strategy for the region
Ensuring wherever possible the council’s vehicle fleet use ethanol and bio-diesel fuels
Introducing a user friendly recycling program across the Shire
Assisting applications for solar power and water wise rebates.
Industry / Agriculture / Tourism
Council can assist the survival and sustainability of our vital industries, by: -
Maintaining local government’s awareness of the serious issues facing our region’s agricultural industries
and seeking positive, sustainable solutions
Facilitating the uptake of industry best practices, in co-operation with industry bodies
Fostering economic development throughout the region by encouraging new industries, technologies and initiatives
Working with tourism operators and small businesses to ensure Council consistently assists and supports survival and growth
in these sectors
Improving co-ordination of regional tourism bodies and Visitor Information Centres within the Shire, to gain the best possible
exposure for our unique attractions. For example maximising the opportunities that will arise from the completion of the Mu
Mu Canopy Walk.
Reviewing and improving facilities available for visitors
Community Services
The new Council needs to value and upgrade its Community Services, recognising that local government today goes beyond
the 3 r’s (rates, rubbish and roads) and rightly includes well being and quality of life issues, including: -
Improving medical services, particularly in the smaller population centres, by lobbying State Government and advertising
the benefits of practising here
Promoting a new social unity for our amalgamated Shire, while preserving and valuing the differences in the individual
communities that will make up our new Region
Reviewing and updating the Cultural Policy to adequately reflect our cultural life and the need for cultural development.
This will assist in attracting valuable potential arts funding to our area
Further developing opportunities and positive outlets for youth
Promoting services and facilities for the aged to live well and comfortably
Communication
Ratepayers and residents have a right to know how their Council is performing and what is planned. As Mayor I will encourage
a culture of open communication, including: -
Improving links with the community to facilitate two-way communication between the public and councillors on issues of
concern to residents. For example, by introducing a regular newsletter to ratepayers and upgrading the Council’s website
to include an interactive community forum
Rotating Council meetings to the main population centres of the Shire
Authorised by W.K.B. Shannon 2 Reid Road, Mission Beach Qld. 4852
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