Your Tribe founder Jo Piggott to contest Division 8 against Rhonda Coghlan at 2024 council elections

Jo Piggott, founder of Your Tribe women’s support group, will run for council in 2024.

Jo Piggott will contest Divison 8 at the Cairns Regional Council elections on March 16. Picture: Paul Furse

Jo Piggott, who in March was awarded Cairns Woman of the Year by Cairns Regional Council, has joined Team Eden to contest Division 8 at the 2024 council elections.

Ms Piggott is the founder of Your Tribe women’s support group whose business acuity has also been previously recognised and awarded by Cairns Business Women’s Club.

She said mayoral candidate Amy Eden approached her about three months ago to run for council and decided to join Ms Eden’s team because of value alignment.

“I’ve always felt a deep sense of purpose when it comes to serving my community. The thriving and inclusive community her in Division 8 has inspired me to become a dedicated voice for my local area. Whether it’s ensuring community wellbeing, fostering growth or connecting with people, I’m eager to contribute in every way I can,” Ms Piggott said.

Amy Eden and Jo Piggott. Picture: Paul Furse

“Cairns, with its picturesque charm and vibrant community, has been my home for a decade. My passion for community, connecting people and conscientious support for my local area has led me to see a role as (a) local councillor.”

The Kamerunga resident said she will soon be relocating to Yorkeys Knob, one of the suburbs within Division 8.

Ms Piggott said she did not yet have a specific agenda for change within the Division 8 community as she was still getting an understanding of needs within the community.

“If elected, I intend to work hard, remain engaged and ensure the community of Division 8 feels heard, connected and happy. My mission is to support a renewed council that actively engages with the community, delivering transparency and embracing diversity.”

Ms Piggott will face off against incumbent councillor and Unity’s Division 8 candidate Rhonda Coghlan. Picture: Brendan Radke

Ms Piggott said she had worked with, and raised money for, several social services, wellbeing providers and charities in Cairns such as COUCH and the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation.

Ms Eden said she was “thrilled” to have Ms Piggott on her team.

“Jo’s commitment to the community and her steadfast support for our local area have deeply inspired me,” she said.

Ms Piggott joins Kesa Strieby (Division 2), Trevor Tim (Division 4), Emma Gelling (Division 5) and Shane Trimby (Division 6) in Ms Eden’s current candidate line-up.

Her Division 8 rivals current include incumbent Rhonda Coghlan for the Cairns Unity Team, and former Greens candidate for Leichhardt Phillip Musumeci.

Former magistrate Pat O’Shane was expected to contest Division 8 in a loose alliance with councillor Division 5 hopeful Rob Pyne, but Ms O’Shane told the Cairns Post on October 17 she was no longer a candidate.

All council elections in Queensland will happen on Saturday March 16, 2024.

Originally published as Your Tribe founder Jo Piggott to contest Division 8 against Rhonda Coghlan at 2024 council elections