Staying close to the community

THE Sunshine Coast Council will hold quarterly forums in towns across the region should Cr Debbie Blumel be elected mayor on April 28.

At her Community and Lifestyle Policy launch at The Boat Shed riverside restaurant in Cotton Tree yesterday, Cr Blumel promised to broaden the democratic principal by taking council meetings to the people throughout the region.

Cr Blumel, who has been campaigning vigorously in face-to-face meetings with residents and business owners in hinterland and coastal towns, said she wanted all councillors to have first-hand knowledge of the issues confronting the different communities in the region.

She said her experience as a councillor had taught her the best way to learn about what was important to people was to attend community meetings on a regular basis, listen to the existing and emerging issues and set about resolving them within a close cooperative partnership.

She said as mayor she would introduce all councillors, as well as senior Council staff members, to the concept of discussing concerns directly with the people in the community.

“Since amalgamation, many people have expressed concern that they don’t see their councillors as much as they would like. They should be able to talk directly with councillors and staff about local issues,” Cr Blumel said.

“Under my leadership, Council will host quarterly Council-in-the-Community forums in towns across the Sunshine Coast. That means 16 forums will be held across the Sunshine Coast over the next four-year term.

“We will visit areas in the north, south, centre and hinterland. We will visit large urban centres and small rural towns. Under my leadership, we will be a Council for everybody and for every town.

“And I will expect senior executives and other staff to attend the forums to help break down the barriers between council and the people it serves.”

Cr Blumel said she also wanted to hear about issues that were the responsibility of other levels of government.

“Council is the best link for communities to open doors to other levels of government,” Cr Blumel said.

“As mayor I would invite state and federal government ministers to attend Councilin- the Community forums in a spirit of co-operation, including those ministers in the new Newman state government who have been elected to represent our region.

“In small communities, lack of coordination between levels of government is a formula for getting nothing done. I will take responsibility for coordinating governments and hosting them in our communities.”

Debbie Blumel’ Ten Point
Community and Lifestyle Policy
1) Listening to the people
2) Council-in-the-Community Forums
3) Sunshine Coast Industry Group
4) Local Economic Action Plans
5) Enhancing urban environments and lifestyle
6) Divisional Community Funds
7) Excellence in customer service
8) Cooperation across three levels of government
9) Community partnerships and grants to support projects
10) Community celebration and commemoration events

Permanent Link: Staying close to the community
Publish Date: 04 Apr 12

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