Rate Payers Of The Central Highlands, Queensland

I am asking for your support to be Mayor of the Central highlands for the next four years.

I was born and have lived in the Council area all my life and have raised my family, started a business and enjoyed wonderful community participation through serving in local government.

I believe that now is the time that a leader with my experience and skills is required to bring our community back to the prosperity and liveability that we want for our families and future generations.

The next four years will need to be different if we are able to succeed in making the Central Highlands a better place. The region is experiencing a dramatic downturn in economic activity, due to the resource industry slowdown and a major drop in building activity. These were the two major employees in the 2011 Census data and of the top three only agriculture is experiencing slightly improved conditions.

Horticulture is proving to be a bright prospect over the next 10-20 years with major expansion and new crops.

It is imperative that our business community adapts and adopts new strategies aimed at tapping into that diversity that exists across the region. And our Council needs to identify their core business, and deliver it at an affordable price.

We want visitors to stay and spend as the enjoy our natural environment and experience our friendly communities and our share of critical tourism drive markets.

As Mayor I will:

Bring strong local government experience – to build and promote our region we need a cohesive Council and a strong experienced leader capable of focussing the Council as a team.

Focus Council Resources – Our ratepayers can no longer afford to pay for services which lag behind their expectations. Our ratepayers want value for money.

Encourage innovation and new industry – My broad experience across many industries and knowledge of the regions commercial and business sector can expedite start-ups.

Enhance and expand our commercial operations – As a businessman, I will ensure that Council business assets are customer focused, efficient and non-essential assets disposed of.

Assist and Resource our social networks – Our communities do not run without a range of networks, service groups, and not-for-profit that are critical to liveability and provide support and service in many ways to many of our ratepayers.

Additionally, we need to preserve and build connectivity by road, rail and airports and seek strategic alliances with other inland commercial growth hotspots.

Our vital share of the important domestic export markets is increasing and delivery to depots and ports is critical.

The election comes at a critical time in our local government history. Many residents have never felt as vulnerable as they do now, in tougher economic conditions.

But most are optimistic that our further holds many opportunities and it would be my great honour to lead this region to that end.