Heymans raises hand

THE Somerset Regional Council's response to last year's flood convinced Paul Heymans to put his hand up for the job.

Paul Heymans is running for Council after being disgusted with the flood response. . Picture: Rob Williams

THE Somerset Regional Council's response to last year's flood convinced Paul Heymans to put his hand up for the job.

The Wivenhoe Pocket resident and founding member of the Somerset Regional Business Alliance (SRBA) said the council's lack of response to the flood had led him to nominate.

"During the January 2011 floods my own community of Wivenhoe Pocket and so many other communities in our region were completely inundated without warning," Mr Heymans said.

"I was deeply shocked by the complete collapse of the disaster response by Somerset Regional Council from the very first day. When the council offices were inundated by the flood in Redbank Ck, they had no back-up plan and their key disaster management officers didn't even have auxiliary power in their homes to maintain communications."

Mr Heymans said he began closer scrutiny of the council, including reading their media releases and minutes from council meetings in order to gain a better understanding of it.

"What I observed was a council totally unprepared for the disaster that devastated so many members of our community, a council that is out of touch with the aspirations of the community, and a council that sees little need to mend its ways."

Mr Heymans said he would push for road improvements across the region and the upgrade of the Toogoolawah and Lowood town centres.

Full details of his policies and agenda can be found online at vote4paulheymans.info.

Originally published as Heymans raises hand