Candidate's Responses re Divisions
"Will you work towards ensuring that there are divisions in the council election subsequent to 2008?"
Greg Wood - YES
If 5 or more of our Integrity group are elected, Divisions will be re-instated for the 2012 election. It is as simple as that.The current situation is grotesquely confusing and hideously dangerous given the demands of amalgamation that will bear upon those elected. Expecting electors to pick 8 numbers from 42 options is a gold-lotto process. It is not democracy and it does not support the ideals of local representative government.
This debacle is no surprise. Without divisions in the last election there would have been 29 candidates on the ticket. The people who delivered this undivided nonsense either knew the consequence and didn’t care, or didn’t care enough to consider the obvious consequences. They are unfit for office.
Any candidate who does not grasp the pivotal important of this issue is not capable of the task ahead.
I will also support an interim divisional structure to enable optimal interaction and information between Council and local community interests.
Ron Owen- YES
When elected I will work to introduce two voluntary divisional representives to four divisions and make application to the State Government to allow the Shire to be elected by divisions in the next Council elections, as per the provsions in the Local Government Act 1993. The current loss of Divisional representation was engineered by Mayor Venardos with the complicity and assistance of the Mayor of Kilkivan, as they did not wish to face preferential voting, which would have enabled non-incumbent Mayoral Candidates to swap preferences against the incumbent. I and several other Councillors voted to retain divisional representation but Mayor Dyne and Mayor Venardos and their supporting councillors had a majority and used it for their purpose and not the purpose of giving the residents the best representation that could be given.
Maree Prior - YES
I have supported and voted for divisions throughout my term and have not backed down or backflipped. If you vote for me you will get a dedicated fulltime councillor from Gympie to the coast in any case! I would expect the same if a candidate from Kilkivan & Mary Valley were similarly voted for by Gympie residents. So be fair Gympieites, and throw some votes to the far flung candidates.
Ian Petersen
In relation to divisions, I feel very strongly that there should be local representation for outlying areas, as evidenced by my decision to be part of a group including Tony Huxley at Rainbow Beach, Jan Watt at Imbil and Tony Perrett at Kilkivan. Participation in a group has some cost sharing advantages but these are probably outweighed by a certain amount of voter aversion to groups. My primary motivation has been to give Jan and the two Tony's a better chance of being elected and providing that local content shire wide.However, unless there can be some better formula for mandated divisions, I could not support for example, a one councillor division covering over half the geographic area of the Shire. I have conveyed this view to numerous people and groups within the city area where the bulk of the voters are and I would have to say that almost unanimously, people in the heart of Gympie agree that there should be local representatives in the outer areas. I am confident they will vote that way and we will have the best of both worlds - a local representative in the outer area supported and assisted by 7 other councillors, rather than arguing his or her case in isolation.
Wayne Sachs - YES
The 2012 local government election should be based on divisions, and therefore, if elected, I will support the re-instatement of these.
In the past in Cooloola Shire, most divisions had two or three representatives. This was satisfactory, however divisions should be single-member where the councillor can be truly evaluated at election time. Other large councils do this and so should the Gympie Regional Council.
Jan Watt
There will be no internal divisions this term of council with successful candidates being elected from across the entire new Council area. I believe regional representation is vital and would sincerely like to represent YOU around the table in the new council
FACT: Under the Local Government Act Councils can review the decision issue with recommendations (if any) required 12months prior to the next election in 2012.
FACT: This will give Councils 3 years to evaluate the ability of Councilors to adequately represent constituents, consult with communities, and make an informed decision. Quite unlike the situation forced upon Queensland Councils last year when they were required to make rushed decisions (only days notice) with limited information and no opportunity to consult. We will have three years to examine and resolve this issue.
Chris Devere - Yes
We need divisions to get everyone heard throughout the region
Karen Berry - YES with Qualification
Should a majority of the Integrity group be elected, we would immediately work towards implementing divisions.
As with the previous question, though, it is imperative that residents be involved in this process to ensure that the best plan can be implemented.
The Integrity group already has a plan to divide the region into four sectors with two councillors allocated to each. In this first instance and wherever possible, each councillor would be allocated to the division in which resides because he/she would already be cognisant of the issues and people of that area. All Councillors’ first priority would be to familiarise themselves with their area and the residents living there, so they would have a good understanding of the issues affecting that area.
Our idea of two councillors per division is based on a ‘dual redundancy’ or “failsafe” concept whereby, if one councillor is away due to illness, conference or holiday, the second councillor is always available for the residents to call if an issue arises.
We believe this plan is an excellent one; however, all ideas from residents should be assessed because there may be other plans possible.
Once Council divisions had been agreed upon and introduced, the Electoral Commission could be approached to formalise them in the 2012 elections.
Graham Engeman
Yes with qualification. Divisional representation must be representation of each individual or unique area within the Council region and thus the numbers voting for that representative must reflect their area. Simply having numbers which encompass a huge area from Gympie to Boubyjan is not representaive nor is Cooloola Coast to Mary Valley going to produce true representation. Divisions need to be flexible or numbers small enough to give true representation. Double the numbers of Councillors at half the pay rate. Without this flexibility Council will be refective of the population centre - Gympie.
On the other side of the argument in a No Division Council, ALL Councillors will need to represent ALL areas to ensure they are re-elected. In a Divisional Council, re-election mostly only requires service to the Councillors Division.
Reg my greater concern is of Party Politics entering the Local Elections where Party Executives in Brisbane will control local issues and outcomes. Surely Parties are watching how "Integrity" and "Active 8" fare at this election to decide which Councils to contest at the next elections.
Rae Gate - YES
I want to have fair representation across the Gympie Region for all localities.
I intend to see that Divisions will be revisited after the Local Government Election. This should be a priority for the newly elected Council. All members of our Region should feel that they retain their identity and are part of the new Council not just a small part of the melting pot.
David Hetherington - YES
It is vital that outlying areas get representation although the current government guidelines might make this difficult.
Bruce Cavanough - YES with Qualification
Lets give no divisions a go, if it does not work , I will certainly work to go back to divisions for the next election.
Rod Klein
My reply to this question would probably be listed under your heading of ‘YES with Qualification’.
My question would be ‘What do the people really want?’ This
can work either way, and I don’t hold a personal preference. I agree that
Councillors who live in certain areas ‘should’ have more of an understanding of
issues in their area. I also believe that ALL Councillors should be aware of all
issues within their LG area, and assist each other and the community with
decisions. Divisions could be allocated to individual Councillors, but we need to
be aware that one individual could be overpowered with issues, and require
assistance anyway. Consultation and cooperation are two major components of
being a Councillor, and no one person should be individually accountable.
Council itself should be a TEAM effort.
Peter Cantrell - Yes
My record here speaks for itself. I wrote several letters of objection to
loss of divisions to the Gympie Times at the time complaining of our regional
areas being sold out by Messrs Venardos and Dyne. It is essential for
regional areas to be represented on Council by people from those areas who
are able to bring a degree of local knowledge not available to the best
intentioned Gympie based Councillor. Divisions are a two way street with
people needing to know their local representative who can be approached
should the need arise. This is a sentiment being expressed to me throughout
the outlying areas of the new Council.
Geoff Walden - No with qualifications.
- When I heard that there would be no divisions in the amalgamated council, I thought it was probably a good idea primarily because it had the potential to require all councilors to take a wider interest in the region rather than just their division. I haven't changed that position.
- My qualification is that I would like to give it a go to see how the “no divisions” structure works. If there is an obvious need to revert to divisions, then I would work towards it.
- This raises the question as to how success or otherwise of the structure is measured.
Ron Dyne - No with qualifications
I am in the position of supporting what the majority or residents of the Shire of Kilkivan preferred prior to amalgamation. This position was established at six public meeting held through out the Shire. As mayor of the Shire of Kilkivan I am obliged to represent the wishes of my shire. I would be prepared to reconsider this position prior to the next election but only after it has been proven that the residents of Gympie Regional council would prefer divisions. I am confident that with the appropriate implementation of the no division issue those residents will be happy with the outcome.
Mac Alcorn - NO with qualification
I believe an effective council should be able to govern the whole shire without the need for divisional councillors, with all areas and projects being funded on a needs basis to the benefit of the total community.
Project management representatives and administration leaders could report on behalf of specific geographic location needs .
I could see divisional representation leading to a tunnel vision approach, but I would reserve my judgment and be prepared to change if proof was available that a no divisional approach was detrimental to specific locations in the shire.
Jeff Lambert - YES
Divisions are important in delegating area responsibilities to Councillors. In an amalgamated area of 7 000 sq kilometres and a reduction of councillors, divisions take on even more significance.
Although Councillors should have a knowledge of the total shire operations, an undivided region sets unfair burden on each Councillor for exacting responsibilities. Additionally this affects service to the residents who prefer access to councillors responsible to their particular area.
Although I stand as an independent, the Integrity group of independents of which I am a member, has the reinstatement of divisional representation as a core and urgent group objective.
Robyn Johnston
I have always been in support of divisions.
Graeme Moore
Divisions - yes; this is important to re-introduce a divisional system.
George Groth
Regarding Council Divisions, yes I will work to install them again. I also want Councillors and myself to go on excursions to meet the people in different areas of our large Shire therefore seeing and hearing the needs and desires of our community.
Donna Reardon
Yes!! With the no divisions there could be a major problem of spreading the butter too thin.
With divisions in place you have representation; you can call your local representative and speak with that person with your concern. Then that representative would be accountable to you and not be lost with diminished responsibility (passing the buck).
At present there are no boundaries, to over come this issue of representation, a system should be put in to place, that a councilor be given portfolios of areas whether it is physical areas or fields expertise’s, this would facilitate the responsibility, ownership and accountability of areas.
Peter McIntosh
We will have to see if the election works. Having no divisions works in Kilkivan Shire but if it is evident that we don’t get a spread of candidates elected we will have to reconsider it.
Terry Clark - Yes
Divisions have to be brought back as a priority so everyone can get a fair go.
Shane Jocumsen - Yes
All members of our Integrity Group are committed to the return of divisions in our new Council. And, if I am elected I will see this matter is addressed.
Alan Dray - Yes
Divisions should never have been taken away in the first place. On matters like this there should be proper consultation with the electors and the job of representatives is to be guided by the electors.
Tony Huxley
Re-instate Regional Representation (4 divisions each represented by 2 Councillors).
As one of the community leaders who agitated long and hard for a Coastal Division (Div 5), it was particularly galling to see divisions unceremoniously dumped when the Cooloola Shire, Kilkivan Shire and part of Tiaro Shire were forced into amalgamation.
I do sympathise with the councilors who had to grapple with this problem and only had 4 days in which to do so, but still cannot agree with their decision. One of the unintended consequences of having ‘no divisions’, is the increased expense of campaigning. Whereas before a candidate only had to campaign for votes in a division of 2500 voters, a candidate now has to campaign across the whole shire of about 25,000 voters.
An otherwise excellent candidate may be precluded from running for council because he/she may not have sufficient funds.
My greatest fear is that the merged councils may open the door to political party involvement, because individuals will not be able to fund an effective campaign unless they are wealthy. Individual candidates can therefore become prime targets for corrupt funding of campaigns by wealthy interest groups.
(Material from Tony Huxley’s website - he did not directly respond)
George Cotter
As the new council starts work it will become evident whether divisions are necessary. We will need to see how it works before we make a decision.
Michael O’Neil - Yes
I will support the reintroduction of divisions.
The level of voter confusion is considerable and this is not in the
spirit of democracy in my view.
Julie Walker
Let me assure you that I do support the formation of divisions in the new council.