2) Policy overview and manifesto
MAYORAL CANDIDATE:
Jenny Stirling
COUNCIL CANDIDATES:
Gail Hamilton; Peter Newey; Lindy Collins; Peter Hanley; Sam Reuben; Dianne Rogers; Dave Robinson; David Kault; John Waszkiewicz; Sue Rush; Norm Petrie;
COMMUNITY VOICES:
Townsville Greens and members of the business community have joined forces because we want the city to retain its unique character and lifestyle, which we believe, is under threat from a ‘development at all costs ‘ mentality. The current development agenda has promoted and delivered some projects and proposals, which defy good sense and will cost the ratepayers of the community well into the future. There has to be a better way.
VISION:
Community Voices wants to bring the city council back to the people so that we can become a safer, more inclusive and sustainable city. In order to achieve this goal we will introduce ‘triple bottom line’ (TBL) accounting for all decision making within Council. Our priorities will be debt reduction, essential infrastructure, and appropriate development.
SUSTAINABILITY:
‘Sustainability’ is development that meets needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In practice, it means decision making to be mutually responsive to a broad range of concerns and to generate mutually agreed beneficial economic, cultural, social and environmental outcomes
TOWN PLANNING/SUSTAINABILITY:
• We will support development provided it is sustainable and the end result is to the benefit of the community
• We will support urban development which enhances and supports existing infrastructure
• We recognise the need to cater for a growing population and encourage alternative community developments that enhance our social and environmental wellbeing
• Attend to the core business of council which means more money spent repairing roads, drains, water and sewerage
• Establish more incentives for sustainable tropical housing initiatives: solar power, suitable site orientation, passive cooling and energy efficiency.
TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE ACCOUNTING:
At its narrowest, TBL is about measuring and reporting corporate performance against economic, social and environmental parameters. At its broadest, TBL is about values, issues and processes that companies must address to create economic, social and environmental value. In the Townsville City Council, the introduction of TBL decision making is designed to assist in integrating sustainability into their planning, decision making and reporting systems.
COUNCILS USING TBL INCLUDE:
City of Melbourne, City of Sydney, City of Gosnells (WA), Noosa Council, Penrith City Council, Surf Coast Shire (Vic), City of Stirling (WA), North Sydney Council, Knox City Council, City of Norwood (SA)
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT:
• Set rates in a fair and equitable manner, capping rates for aged pensioners and those on means tested fixed incomes
• Address operating costs while not decreasing services.
• Only borrow money when absolutely necessary.
• Canvas all avenues available for State and Federal Governments funding.
• Ensure that all new developments are constructed with adequate infrastructure.
• Support the funding of community projects on an absolute priority basis.
• Eliminate unnecessary spending.
ACCOUNTABILITY
• Verbatim transcript (Hansard) of minutes of council meetings (Hansard) to be available on the Townsville City Council website.
• All councillor’s pecuniary interests listed on website
• Ensure the maximum possible of its business is conducted in open Council, rather than in closed session.
SOCIAL/CULTURAL ISSUES:
• Lobby strongly at the state and federal level for more affordable housing; form partnerships with community organisations dealing with affordable housing issues
• Support and maintain existing Cultural and Sporting activities
• Provide subsidies so all families have the opportunity for their children to be involved with sport or recreational activities.
• Consolidate and embed spending on Arts programmes and projects
• Provide appropriate infrastructure for safe cycling and promote more efficient, cost effective public transport
• Promote a rewarding working environment for staff and ensure that competency and innovation is recognised
• Include a cultural awareness program for staff to appreciate protocols and history of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people.
• Encourage school based food production gardens and provide free advice services to residents wishing to grow food at home.
ENVIRONMENT:
• Lobby against the State government’s proposal to have heavy industry upwind of the city in the State Development Area
• Investigate the possibility for a Fresh Food Hub for Townsville to ensure food grown in NQ is available for distribution to local grocers and supermarkets before it is transported to Brisbane
• Support the retention, provision, and extension of parklands where appropriate
• Support an ocean terminal for Townsville but not the proposed Canal estate
• Oppose V8 Supercar race for inner city
• Examine proposals to upgrade ‘tip shop’ at city dump
• Investigate erosion of old dump site on the banks of Ross Ck
• Install larger pipes to assist tidal flushing on Boundary St Rd
• Install self cleaning toilet on Flinders St East to deal with sanitation issues for after hours revellers
REGIONAL FOCUS:
We recognise that Townsvile city includes a diverse network of communities that have different needs and priorities and we will address these regional areas in specific ways:
Northern Beaches:
We recognise the importance of a City to have the alternative lifestyle offered by the environment of the Northern Beaches and will address the issues neglected in the past. We will:
• Address the recommendations of previous town planning, coastal erosion and stormwater studies and prioritise urgent works required.
• We will instigate a regular maintenance program of the existing drainage systems such as creek lines, piping, gutter ways and culverts to ensure they operate in accordance with their intended purpose.
• We will investigate the financial feasibility including any funding available to sewer unsewered areas.
• We will ensure that staff police camping restrictions in the allocated areas.
Magnetic Island:
• Review town planning decision to locate batching plant at Picnic Bay
• Lobby for funding for board walk around the Island from Nelly Bay to Alma Bay
• Resolve issue concerning the closure of the footpath at Nelly Bay
• Free green waste disposal
• Resolve the City Loop bus issue to the satisfaction of Island residents
Cape Cleveland & Cungulla:
• Support efforts to stop the unauthorised removal of sand from Cleveland Bay
Woodstock:
To be posted
Alligator Ck:
To be posted
Oak Valley:
To be posted
CONTACT: Jenny Stirling 47290226 or 04170123 11
Jenny Stirling
COUNCIL CANDIDATES:
Gail Hamilton; Peter Newey; Lindy Collins; Peter Hanley; Sam Reuben; Dianne Rogers; Dave Robinson; David Kault; John Waszkiewicz; Sue Rush; Norm Petrie;
COMMUNITY VOICES:
Townsville Greens and members of the business community have joined forces because we want the city to retain its unique character and lifestyle, which we believe, is under threat from a ‘development at all costs ‘ mentality. The current development agenda has promoted and delivered some projects and proposals, which defy good sense and will cost the ratepayers of the community well into the future. There has to be a better way.
VISION:
Community Voices wants to bring the city council back to the people so that we can become a safer, more inclusive and sustainable city. In order to achieve this goal we will introduce ‘triple bottom line’ (TBL) accounting for all decision making within Council. Our priorities will be debt reduction, essential infrastructure, and appropriate development.
SUSTAINABILITY:
‘Sustainability’ is development that meets needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In practice, it means decision making to be mutually responsive to a broad range of concerns and to generate mutually agreed beneficial economic, cultural, social and environmental outcomes
TOWN PLANNING/SUSTAINABILITY:
• We will support development provided it is sustainable and the end result is to the benefit of the community
• We will support urban development which enhances and supports existing infrastructure
• We recognise the need to cater for a growing population and encourage alternative community developments that enhance our social and environmental wellbeing
• Attend to the core business of council which means more money spent repairing roads, drains, water and sewerage
• Establish more incentives for sustainable tropical housing initiatives: solar power, suitable site orientation, passive cooling and energy efficiency.
TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE ACCOUNTING:
At its narrowest, TBL is about measuring and reporting corporate performance against economic, social and environmental parameters. At its broadest, TBL is about values, issues and processes that companies must address to create economic, social and environmental value. In the Townsville City Council, the introduction of TBL decision making is designed to assist in integrating sustainability into their planning, decision making and reporting systems.
COUNCILS USING TBL INCLUDE:
City of Melbourne, City of Sydney, City of Gosnells (WA), Noosa Council, Penrith City Council, Surf Coast Shire (Vic), City of Stirling (WA), North Sydney Council, Knox City Council, City of Norwood (SA)
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT:
• Set rates in a fair and equitable manner, capping rates for aged pensioners and those on means tested fixed incomes
• Address operating costs while not decreasing services.
• Only borrow money when absolutely necessary.
• Canvas all avenues available for State and Federal Governments funding.
• Ensure that all new developments are constructed with adequate infrastructure.
• Support the funding of community projects on an absolute priority basis.
• Eliminate unnecessary spending.
ACCOUNTABILITY
• Verbatim transcript (Hansard) of minutes of council meetings (Hansard) to be available on the Townsville City Council website.
• All councillor’s pecuniary interests listed on website
• Ensure the maximum possible of its business is conducted in open Council, rather than in closed session.
SOCIAL/CULTURAL ISSUES:
• Lobby strongly at the state and federal level for more affordable housing; form partnerships with community organisations dealing with affordable housing issues
• Support and maintain existing Cultural and Sporting activities
• Provide subsidies so all families have the opportunity for their children to be involved with sport or recreational activities.
• Consolidate and embed spending on Arts programmes and projects
• Provide appropriate infrastructure for safe cycling and promote more efficient, cost effective public transport
• Promote a rewarding working environment for staff and ensure that competency and innovation is recognised
• Include a cultural awareness program for staff to appreciate protocols and history of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people.
• Encourage school based food production gardens and provide free advice services to residents wishing to grow food at home.
ENVIRONMENT:
• Lobby against the State government’s proposal to have heavy industry upwind of the city in the State Development Area
• Investigate the possibility for a Fresh Food Hub for Townsville to ensure food grown in NQ is available for distribution to local grocers and supermarkets before it is transported to Brisbane
• Support the retention, provision, and extension of parklands where appropriate
• Support an ocean terminal for Townsville but not the proposed Canal estate
• Oppose V8 Supercar race for inner city
• Examine proposals to upgrade ‘tip shop’ at city dump
• Investigate erosion of old dump site on the banks of Ross Ck
• Install larger pipes to assist tidal flushing on Boundary St Rd
• Install self cleaning toilet on Flinders St East to deal with sanitation issues for after hours revellers
REGIONAL FOCUS:
We recognise that Townsvile city includes a diverse network of communities that have different needs and priorities and we will address these regional areas in specific ways:
Northern Beaches:
We recognise the importance of a City to have the alternative lifestyle offered by the environment of the Northern Beaches and will address the issues neglected in the past. We will:
• Address the recommendations of previous town planning, coastal erosion and stormwater studies and prioritise urgent works required.
• We will instigate a regular maintenance program of the existing drainage systems such as creek lines, piping, gutter ways and culverts to ensure they operate in accordance with their intended purpose.
• We will investigate the financial feasibility including any funding available to sewer unsewered areas.
• We will ensure that staff police camping restrictions in the allocated areas.
Magnetic Island:
• Review town planning decision to locate batching plant at Picnic Bay
• Lobby for funding for board walk around the Island from Nelly Bay to Alma Bay
• Resolve issue concerning the closure of the footpath at Nelly Bay
• Free green waste disposal
• Resolve the City Loop bus issue to the satisfaction of Island residents
Cape Cleveland & Cungulla:
• Support efforts to stop the unauthorised removal of sand from Cleveland Bay
Woodstock:
To be posted
Alligator Ck:
To be posted
Oak Valley:
To be posted
CONTACT: Jenny Stirling 47290226 or 04170123 11