Gympie councillors rate their performance since 2020 election

With the clock counting down towards the 2024 election, Gympie councillors have given their assessment on how they have performed across the past three years, and where mistakes were made.

With the clock counting down towards the 2024 election, Gympie councillors have given their assessment on how they have performed across the past three years, and where mistakes were made.

Councillors have offered up a mixed verdict on their performance since the 2020 elections saying a litany of disasters, including the pandemic and near-record flood, left them in uncharted waters.

A consistent theme emerged from Gympie’s elected officials when asked how they rated their work this term, with several saying these emergencies were significant hurdles.

“No other council in the history of the region have faced what this council has,” Mayor Glen Hartwig said.

“We began with no money, then Covid and floods.”

Delivering free green waste disposal, bringing money into the region through events, planning for future jobs, delivering short-term housing, and resolving the council’s Rattler dilemma by splitting from the train were among the items Mr Hartwig pointed to as wins in his first term as Mayor.

“The work done this term has not been sexy, it has been about building a strong foundation to support the region’s growth for the next 20 years,” he said.

Jess Milne said she had secured wins like the council’s 2022-27 Corporate Plan but the constant change internally (“five CEOs [including two acting], several director and management changes”) had been “a steep learning curve for a first term councillor”.

“I see the frustration in the community on issues and I often share the same however I have usually have an understanding of the ‘why’ so don’t let the emotional side cloud the sight of opportunity,” she said.

“Moving forward, I see good things on the horizon after years of rocky road.”

Councillors said the 2022 flood which submerged large parts of the city was part of a series of disasters which challenged their work this past term,

Dolly Jensen was “satisfied” with her work but had tempered expectations.

“I never knew how slow the wheels of all levels of government turn,” Mrs Jensen said.

“I‘m not sure if I’m any more patient but I do understand now that it’s probably not going to be done this year.”

Bruce Devereaux gave himself an “A for effort” but “E for effect”, with delivery “probably more like a C+”.

“I’ve made something of a nuisance of myself in meeting the condition I had for myself going into this role: to be the councillor I always wanted representing me,” Mr Devereaux said.

Dan Stewart did not specifically rate his own work but agreed it had been a challenging term, not only due to the disasters but some self-inflicted wounds too.

“We made some mistakes,” he said, in relation to changes to the CEO early in his term.

The council’s split from the Mary Valley Rattler following its controversial resurrection in 2018 was among the election promises Mayor Glen Hartwig said he delivered on.

He was now “excited for the future of the region” in light of the appointment of Robert Jennings as CEO.

Deputy Mayor Hilary Smerdon enjoyed the extra responsibility of his expanded role “and in my opinion council is now headed in the right direction”.

“Finances have improved, and council is improving services to the region.”

Warren Polley said the councillors had achieved a lot despite “continual frustration” over how much they could be involved in operational matters.

“I was never going to be ‘out there’ in the public face … my focus was on what happens in the Council Chamber and the discussions that took place there,” Mr Polley said.

Bob Fredman had “done my best in the circumstances”.

“It’s upwards from here,” Mr Fredman said.

“It feels like we have taken one step back to build a solid foundation so that we can take two steps forward in the next term.”

Shane Waldock did not respond by deadline.