ABOUT ME

Having worked in local government as a middle manager for close to 30 years, I’ve always fought the urge to stand as a Councillor and I have said many times to those that would listen, “I wouldn’t get into politics”. But I am now breaking that vow because I believe that the current style of governance on the Sunshine Coast is broken and it’s time for change. I have been a critic for far too long and I have decided it’s time to throw my hat into the ring.

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For too long, many of our elected Councillors and our Mayor have simply not been listening to those that elected them. The current Council has instead held too many meetings on important issues in secrecy. I see this type of representation as not only reprehensible but embarrassing. This more than anything is why I have decided to stand as your candidate for the electorate of Division 2 at the upcoming Local Government elections in March 2020.

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I understand that this may come as a surprise to those that know me personally and those that have supported my wife Carola, through her business activities in Kings Beach for the past 36 years. Some in the community will know me only from my work in Local Government and others will know Carola and I as self-employed business people that have lived and worked in Kings Beach and Caloundra for many years. I think its fair to say we know Caloundra; we know you the residents, we know a number of local businesspeople and I like you, want only what’s best for our City.

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I have spent more than 20 years living in Caloundra and I think most people in the electorate of Division 2 are genuinely concerned about the future of our beautiful region, our City and they do not like the idea that politicians seem to be ignoring their views or of the total lack of transparency in Council’s decision making process.

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I suspect that a lot of people in Division 2, without realising it, share this view and believe it’s time for change. So, it was with great interest that I recently learned of the news that Tim Dywer, Division 2 Councillor for the past 20 years has decided not to seek re-election in March 2020. The news was interesting for several reasons.

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Firstly, I believed the time was right for change; secondly, I had after talking with my family (and with their support) decided that as a local (I think I can now call myself a local after 20 years living in Caloundra) it was time to stand as your Councillor representative for Division 2 at the upcoming local government elections in March 2020; and thirdly, I want improve on the work done by Councillor Dwyer and his late father Des in their roles as Councillor and Mayor respectively over the last 3 decades. I want to make, with your support, the Sunshine Coast region and in particular the Division 2 suburbs of Caloundra, Golden Beach, Pelican Waters, Little Mountain , Shelly Beach, Moffat Beach, Battery Hill, Caloundra West and Dicky Beach some of the most vibrant, sustainable, diverse and environmentally conscious suburbs in South East Queensland.

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I see my decision to put my hat into the ring for Councillor as an exciting opportunity not just for myself and the entire Division 2 community, but more importantly for the entire Sunshine Coast region, which we would all acknowledge as a region that is growing expendability and needs the right leadership to ensure its sustainability. Also as having eluded to it previously, my wife and I as residents and business owners in Kings Beach have a good idea on what needs to be done in Division 2 to once again make Caloundra the place it once was, a place where families felt safe, where generations came to holiday, where development was regulated and the tourist dollars stayed in Caloundra and were not spent elsewhere on the coast.

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As a business owner and resident, I will fight hard to make sure that the things residents, business owners and absent owners know are important to Division 2 are raised as priority projects in Council. If you, the people of Division 2 trust me with your vote, I can promise you this: I will listen to you.  

My years as both a local government employee and now as self-employed person and local business owner have taught me several important lessons, the most important being that it is vital to listen to people’s concerns. My years watching politics have shown me how sorely that skill is lacking in local government. Let’s be blunt, becoming a Councillor and representing your electorate is not about popularity and salary, what being an elected representative really means is listening to your community and fighting in the trenches if necessary, for what’s right and meaningful.

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I know how to listen, and I know how to act on behalf of those without a voice. I will do both if I am given the opportunity to represent you as your Division 2 Councillor.

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My mantra for governance is simple, I advocate open, transparent and great governance, I believe that local government should be supporting small business, offering equity in services and their delivery, be considerate of the cost to the community when making decisions, provide property and land owners with a fair rateable system, ensure best practice is observed in the management and care of the environment and that developments within the region is managed in a way that is consistent with the planning scheme and community expectations.