Election Promises and Priorities

I would like to say a big thank you to Bill Hoffman, Journalist Sunshine Coast Daily for his article attached (page 12 Caloundra Weekly, Thursday 23 January 2020), regarding the upcoming Queensland Local Government Elections on 28 March 2020 and in particular the articles reference to the electorate of Division 2 where I am standing as your Divisional Candidate.

I have made no secret of my election promises. If you elect me as your Councillor, for Division 2, I will: -

1. Rates Moratorium and General Rates Review

- call for a moratorium (no increase) on Council rates for a period of 2 years until such time as the Chief Executive Office (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 insist that there is a review of the services provided by Council to our community. If it is found that Council is providing a service that is a State or Federal Government responsibility, the service will be reviewed and if there is community support for Council to stop providing the service, I will recommend to Council that the item be removed from its financial responsibility.

2. Self Funded Retirees

- 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). If there are other concessions that are offered to Centrelink pensioners by Council, I will also fight to ensure that self funded retirees are offered the same concessions.

3. Revitalise Bulcock Street

- with the support of the Caloundra Chamber of Commerce, get on with the job of revitalisng 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 it compliments the smart businesses that are already here and those smart businesses that are yet to arrive.

4. Jobs and Employment

- 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.

5. Lobby the State Government for Funding

- lobby the State Government for additional funding to: - (a) to fast track the light-rail project for the Sunshine Coast region; (b) review accessibility to both Caloundra and the Northern Parts of our region by reviewing how traffic movement at the roundabout that adjoins Pelican Waters Boulevard, Nicklin Way and Caloundra Road can be better managed and improved; (c) ensure additional police resources are posted to the Sunshine Coast region which will enhance security for Sunshine Coast Residents; (d) assist in completing and opening the Bruce Highway/Aura link road to enable residents and visitors to access the Bruce Highway without using an already congested Caloundra Road; (e) encourage and offer incentives to businesses, for the purpose of assisting them to relocate to the Sunshine Coast Region, thereby creating jobs and employment for residents.

6. Remove Parking Meters from the Caloundra CBD and Sunshine Coast Hospital Precinct

- advocate the removal of parking meters from the Caloundra CBD and the Sunshine Coast Hospital precincts. Traders and businesses in Caloundra have been disadvantaged far too and its time for the parking meters to go. Similarly, I have a morale objection to patients and their families attending the Sunshine Coast Hospital having to pay for parking when they are in some cases in desperate need of finding a parking space close to the emergency, outpatients, mental heath and oncology clinics.

7. Strict Adherence and Compliance with the SCRC Planning Scheme

- ensure that there is strict adherence and compliance with the SCRC 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 residential areas.

8. Car Parking Alternatives for Residents and Visitors to Caloundra

- request 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.

9. Economic Development Strategy

- review the region’s economic development strategy and encourage business people within our community and the respective chamber of commerce to assist council staff in building a new and vibrant economic strategy for our region.

10. Eradicate Mosquito, Sand Fly and/or Midge Breeding Sites

- seek additional resources to treat mosquito, sand fly and/or midge breeding sites. I want Council to review International Best Practice options in the treatment of the above and implement strategies that will eradicate mosquito, sand fly and/or midge breeding sites in the Bells Creek, Pelican Waters and Golden Beach Precincts.

11. Free "Hop On - Hop Off" Bus

- investigate and implement a free “hop on, hop off” city bus (September to April), that can move tourists and residents between our iconic beaches and the shopping precincts of Little Mountain, Caloundra, Caloundra West, Golden Beach, Anne Street, Moffat Beach, Dicky Beach, Shelly Beach and Kings Beach.

12. Coastal Path

- were possible, seek funding to widen and ensure adequate solar lighting is installed to the entire Coastal Pathway to accommodate safe access for cyclist, joggers, pedestrians and for those with pets.

13. Queen of Colonies - One Way Traffic

- investigate community support for making Queen of Colonies at Moffat Beach one-way traffic movement.

14. Remove Dog Registration Fees

- remove dog registration fees from Councils Fees and Charges schedule, except in the instance where a dog is a declared dangerous or menacing dog.

15. Time Restrictions on Councillor Representation

- request that the CEO investigate and advocate to the State Government that Councillors within Queensland should serve no more than 3 terms (12 years) as a Divisional Councillor.

16. Councillor Salaries

- support a review of Councillor salaries where they are linked to meeting Key Performance Indicators (e.g. via City Plan).

As always I would really appreciate it if you could share this article with your friends.

Authorised by Shane Scriggins 36 Esplanade Headland, Kings Beach fQld 4551 for Shane Scriggins (Candidate)