Townsville Community Voices

Ph 47741747 or gailhamilton@bigpond.com

I am running for Council with the Community Voices team because:

• I want my children and their friends to grow up in and enjoy the simple pleasures of living in Townsville which I enjoyed as a child
• For that to happen, I believe we need to act now to preserve our clean air, clean waters, natural environment and wildlife from developments like heavy industry upwind of our city: developments which threaten our health and well being
• I believe our local council plays a crucial role in securing those aims and I want to work in Council because we need a whole of community approach to preserve the great community in which we live.

It's that simple.

Background:

I was born and bred in Townsville, and despite having lived in a variety of places in Australia, I prefer to live here and raise my children. I have a strong reason therefore to want to this beautiful city live up to its potential as a cohesive community of people with a strong identity rather than a connection of suburbs and roads.

Education:

I have an honours degree in Environmental Engineering, as well as a graduate diploma in resource economics.

Work:

• Consultant in the design of wastewater treatment facilities and cleaner production programs for industries
• Assessment of environmental impacts and development of environmental management plans
• Project Manager for Brisbane City Council for the improvement of the city's waterways for social and environmental benefits
• Assessment manager for the GBRMP in Townsville, responsible for the environmental assessment of major projects in the marine park, such as dredging programs, marinas, pontoons, aquaculture facilities and coastal developments
• Part-time role as manager of the local chapter of the Environmental Institute of Australia and NZ and regularly co-ordinate community events for the dissemination of information on environmental issues that affect NQ.

Voluntary Community Work:

At present, I am on extended maternity leave, taking care of my two children, Acacia, 2 and Jardine 4. Since becoming a parent, I have taken an active role in improving the welfare of new parents and their children. As an active member of the Townsville Toy Library, the Australian Breastfeeding Association and the Friends of the Birth Centre, I run workshops on baby weaning and breastfeeding and am currently training as a breastfeeding counsellor: a voluntary role.