Am I worthy of your vote?

I have been giving a lot of thought to a burning question that I'm sure many residents and business owners in the Division 2 Electorate of the Sunshine Coast Regional Council have been asking themselves..."how can I be sure that Shane Scriggins who is running for as a candidate for the Sunshine Coast Regional Council Electorate of Division 2 at the Queensland Local Government Elections on 28 March 2020 will do a good job for our community, if elected"?How can you be sure that I will be the best Candidate to represent you?

How will you know if I am going to uphold the commitments that I promised to deliver on, and if so, will I take a thoughtful, incremental approach to the issues facing our City and the Sunshine Coast Region in general?To help you, help me get your vote, I have put together a series of questions that you as resident or a business owners (living in Division 2) might care to consider and then decide if the questions I have raised are relevant to our City. If they are, then I would like you to take the time to review my commitments to you if elected. Only after you have considered the questions and read my responses shall I ask whether I am worthy of your vote.

.Question 1. Do you think our Main Street/Caloundra CBD is healthy and successful? If not, what would you do to change that?

Consider - Is it safe to walk there? Are businesses thriving? Do people spend time there? Does Council encourage business activity?

My Commitment - with the support of the Caloundra Chamber of Commerce, I will get on with the job of revitalising Bulcock Street by working with landlords, Councils Economic Development, the business community and of course the Chamber, by reviewing and implementing as many of the recommendations contained within the Pracsys Report and by inviting as many International Brands as possible to relocate to Caloundra by offering attractive rental concessions and other industry incentives. I want the Caloundra CBD to have a point a difference, I would like to see something like a DFO or a Harbour Town sitting in the heart of the Caloundra CBD where those new businesses complement the smart businesses that are already here and those smart businesses that are yet to arrive.I promise to foster a culture of bi-partisan support between Council and the Caloundra Chamber of Commerce where both parties recognise their respective expertise and collaboratively develop a strategic business roadmap for how Caloundra and the Sunshine Coast region can develop into a thriving and vibrant metropolis. The roadmap for success will be built on global thinking principles by:- (a) exporting our successes to international markets and by engaging with and importing talent to the Sunshine Coast from our local, state and national universities; (b) acknowledging that Caloundra has a changing demographic and by 2026 Caloundra will have the largest population on the Sunshine Coast; (c) lobbying Local, State and Federal Government to "walk the talk" and actively support local businesses to grow; (d) acknowledging the role of Tourism in the region and assist in its continued growth; (e) under expression of interest or other means, source and encourage local, state, national and international events to be held on the Sunshine Coast; (f) provide the necessary infrastructure to ensure that the Sunshine Coast and in particular Caloundra is recognised for its livability, accessibility and transport options; and (g) ensuring additional police resources are posted to the Sunshine Coast Region which will enhance security for Sunshine Coast Residents.

Am I worthy of your vote?

Question 2. How do you feel about the transportation options currently available in our city? Do we have enough options? If not, what would you do to improve our transport options?

Consider - the issues facing car users (parking availability) bus passengers, cyclists and pedestrians; do the current transport options allow residents, tourists and visitors to our City to move freely and seamlessly between our shopping precincts, the Caloundra Airport, Corbould Park and our iconic beaches?

My Commitment - I will improve accessibility by :- (a) investigating and implementing a free “hop on, hop off” city bus (between September and April), that can move tourists and residents between our iconic beaches, the shopping precincts of Little Mountain, Caloundra, Caloundra West, Golden Beach, Anne Street, Moffat Beach, Dicky Beach, Shelly Beach and Kings Beach, our ever expanding Caloundra Airport and Corbould Park; (b) lobbying the State Government for additional funding to fast track the light-rail project for the Sunshine Coast region; (c) requesting that Council's CEO investigates alternate car parking strategies for both residents and visitors to our City (i.e. investigate underground parking alternatives like Southbank) where businesses can take full advantage of tourism or alternatively review the potential for the two current car parking houses in Caloundra's CBD to be built on and upwards. Alternatively, Council might like to consider utilising the land purchased at the western end of Omrah Avenue for parking purposes; and (d) removing parking meters from the Caloundra CBD.

Am I worthy of your vote?

Question 3. Some people in the community believe that we here in Caloundra have traffic problems. What do you think? How would you mitigate those concerns or change the situation?

Consider - Is traffic congestion a good thing? Does it mean more people passing by local businesses. Should additional lanes or new roads be added?

My Commitment - I will advocate for additional funding from the State Government to:- (a) replace the roundabout that adjoins Pelican Waters Boulevard, Nicklin Way and Caloundra Road; and (b) open the Bruce Highway/Aura link road to enable residents and to access the Bruce Highway without using an already congested Caloundra Road.

Am I worthy of your vote?

Question 4. If you could change one thing about our Planning Scheme what would it be and why?

Consider - should there be greater zoning flexibility that will allow for profitable development, business success and economic growth?

My commitment - I will ensure that there is strict adherence and compliance with the Sunshine Coast Regional Council Planning Scheme, with particular attention given to how Council advises, receives and takes into consideration submissions from residents likely to be affected by development in both residential and commercial precincts.

Am I worthy of your vote?

Question 5. How would you like to be involved in the decision making process in our City?

Consider - Should there be specific plans for engaging with residents and businesses by listening to their concerns, issues, ideas and initiatives and not just platitudes about how "decisions are made by those who show up?"

My commitment - If elected I will: - (a) listen to you; (b) talk with you; (c) work with and for you; (d) inform you; (e) be open and transparent; and (f) reduce or stop the number of Council meetings being held behind closed doors

.Am I worthy of your vote?

Question 6. If you were standing for election what would you do to ensure that the financial burden of running and managing our City is sustainable?

Consider - Should the financial burden of managing our city be the responsibility of only those that can afford it or should everyone pay their fair share of rates and fees.

My commitment - I will: - (a) request a moratorium (no increase) on Council rates for a period of 2 years until such time as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Council has reviewed the formula for how Council rates are derived. In his report back to Council I shall also be asking the CEO to ensure that the new rates model is fair and equitable across the entire region. Secondly, I will also insist that as part of the rates review the CEO will review the services offered by Council for the purpose of accessing their timeliness, quality and effectiveness; (b) ensure that Self-Funded Retirees (those that are at or above the Commonwealth retirement age of 67 and who reside permanently on the Sunshine Coast Region) receive a concession on their rates on their principle place of residence; and (c) think outside the box and source alternate external (non residential/commercial) revenue streams to assist in the maintenance and management of Caloundra.

Am I worthy of your vote?

Question 7. Do you believe that Council invests enough resources into the management and treatment of mosquito's, sand flies and midges in your local area?

Consider - Is it enjoyable to go for walks or live where you do? Can you sit down to a meal or relax outside your property without being inundated with mosquito's and other insects? Are they a nuisance? What are the environmental effects of eradicating known breeding sites? What risks are there there to human heath (i.e. Ross River Virus, Dengue Fever, Barmah Forest and Australian Encephalitis) from Mosquito's for example?

My Commitment - I will:- (a) seek additional resources to treat mosquito, sand fly and/or midge breeding sites across the City; and (b) advocate that Council review International Best Practice options in the treatment of mosquito's, sand flies and midges; and (c) implement strategies that will eradicate mosquito, sand fly and/or midge breeding sites in the Bells Creek, Pelican Waters and Golden Beach Precincts.

Am I worthy of your vote?

Question 8. The Coastal Pathway has been a wonderful addition to our region where everyone (pedestrians, cyclists, dog walkers, people with disabilities, the elderly and infirm) can access and use the pathway However, do you believe that the Coastal Pathway for reasons of health, safety and amenity could be improved, by adding additional lighting throughout and widening where possible?

Consider - Is it enjoyable to go for walks on the Coastal Pathway? Do you experience competition for space? Do you feel safe after dark? Would the pathway be safer if there was a delineation between cyclists and pedestrians (a dedicated cycle/walking track?) Is the lighting adequate?

My Commitment - I will seek funding to widen the coastal pathway (where possible) to accommodate safe access for cyclist's, joggers, pedestrians and for those with pets and ensure that there is adequate solar lighting installed to the entire Coastal Pathway for both safety and accessibility after dark.

Am I worthy of your vote?

Question 9. The traffic and community safety concerns (access and egress) experienced at Moffat Beach between Queen of Colonies Parade and Seaview Terrace has for sometime now been a bone of contention for both residents and visitors to the precinct. Would traffic movement be better managed and safety enhanced if Queen of Colonies Parade was formalised into one way traffic movement?

Consider - When using Queen of Colonies Parade have you experience competition from other motorists for road access? Does vehicle parking on the side of Queen of Colonies Parade cause potential problems for both motorists, pedestrians, park users and visitors to the restaurants and coffee shops?

My Commitment - I will investigate if there is community support for making Queen of Colonies at Moffat Beach one-way traffic movement. If there is support from residents, I will request that Council's traffic engineers undertake a feasibility study and prepare a report for Council to consider.

Am I worthy of your vote?

Question 10. Should dogs kept on the Sunshine Coast be registered with Council (excluding aggressive, dangerous or menacing dogs?)

Consider - What are the benefits of dog registration? Is animal management a community service? Is microchip identification a better form of identifying a dog? Why is Council in the business of keeping a dog registration database? Why do dogs require two forms of identification when they are lawfully required to be identified by microchip and then they are required to be registered with Council.

My commitment - I will seek a resolution from Council requesting that dog registration fees are removed from Councils register of Fees and Charges and that the only dogs requiring an approval to be kept in the Sunshine Coast Region are those that are declared dangerous, menacing or aggressive.

Am I worthy of your vote?

Question 11. Do you support Councillors making a career out of Local Government?

Consider - how many terms should a Councillor be allowed to serve in Council? What is the community benefit in supporting career politicians? Is change healthy? Can politicians become entrenched in the role and forget the purpose of why they stood for Council in the first instance?

My commitment - I will request that the Chief Executive Officer advocate to the Local Government Association and the State Government that Councillors within Queensland should serve no more than 3 terms (12 years) as a Divisional Councillor.

Am I worthy of your vote?

Question 12. Would you support Councillor Salaries being linked to productivity, success and meeting defined corporate objectives?

Consider - It is the norm for Australian workers to be rewarded annual pay increases through enterprise agreements (that are generally productivity based). Does it not therefore stand to reason that Councillors should be subject to pay increments only if they can demonstrate their success in meeting corporate targets and election promises, as well as demonstrating fiscal responsibility in the management of Council's annual budget?

My commitment, I will advocate that Councillor salaries are linked to productivity, success and meeting defined corporate objectives.

Am I worthy of your vote?

Question 13. Do you support the removal of parking meters from the Caloundra Central Business District and the Sunshine Coast Hospital Precinct?

Consider - What are the benefits of parking meters, do they inhibit trade in the Caloundra CBD? Do you, when attending the Sunshine Coast Hospital or Caloundra CBD feel threatened that you might receive a parking ticket if you are, through no fault of your own, late back to your vehicle due to a Doctors appointment or business meeting running late, just caught with a friend having a coffee or simply you just lost track of time when shopping? Are traders and business owners in Caloundra CBD being disadvantaged by parking meters when there are no parking meters in Mooloolaba, Maroochydore or Nambour etc. Do you have an objection to patients and their families attending the Sunshine Coast Hospital having to pay for parking when they need to attend the ER, outpatients, mental health and/or oncology clinics.

My commitment - I will advocate that the parking meters in the Caloundra Central Business District and the Sunshine Coast Hospital precincts are removed.

Am I worthy of your vote?