Southern Downs Regional Council candidates mayoral debate: What they had to say
The mayoral candidates for the Southern Downs election race have faced off at a community forum, responding to a wide variety of questions. Here’s what they had to say.
Warwick
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With the countdown on to Southern Downs heading to the polls to vote on who will be our next crop of leaders for the region, the community has been able to ask questions to candidates.
The mayoral candidates of Melissa Hamilton and Lindsay Goodwin are facing off against incumbent mayor Vic Pennisi, however, Ms Hamilton was absent from the mayoral Q&A.
On Thursday night, the two candidates partook in the Stanthorpe Chamber of Commerce’s Q&A to answer the community’s prepared questions shortly after the council candidates introduced themselves.
Here’s how the councillor hopefuls introduced themselves – in their own words.
COUNCIL CANDIDATES
MARIKA MCNICHOL
The former councillor said water security was a serious issue for Stanthorpe, and said one of the things she would like to do was create a discount for pensioners on rates.
“Some of the people are struggling with the money they have to spend,” she told the crowd.
Stanthorpe streetscape got praise from the council hopeful, and she said she liked the idea to do similar programs for small villages like Dalveen and Allora.
ANDREW GALE
The incumbent councillor told the crowd he admired all of the fellow candidates.
“I’m passionate about the representation brought by local government,” Mr Gale said.
The council hopeful for a second term said he was motivated to help the community with their programs, and was proud of his council’s previous term.
“If your road is affected by floods, we’ll get there eventually. One road has to be fixed first, and one has to be last, but we’ll get there,” he said.
“Andrew Gale works for you.”
NICK SUDUK
The farmer in the Southern Downs introduced himself by saying he has lived in the region for decades, and said he was running for council as the previous council had “lost its way”.
“I want to improve things for the entire region, not just one area. We can’t do that with people at each other's throat,” he said.
The volunteer firefighter said the ratepayers of the region had suffered enough.
“Our region is a wonderful place to live and I want to see it continue to thrive,” he said.
KELVIN JOHNSTON
Mr Johnston said the region needed to come together as a community in his opening address, and said he was solution focused.
MORWENNA HARSLETT
The former Stanthorpe business owner said her passion was in the community and the arts, and talked about her involvement with the eisteddfod.
The former Australia Day Citizen of the Year for the region said she was running for council because the demographic of the current council didn’t represent the region.
“It’s a concern and I think it’s due to the way we communicate in our political system. I would love to see some more young people nominated to see the demographics represented,” she said.
“I’ll admit I don't know everything, I’ve never sat at a table and planned a budget, but I know how to budget an account – although on a different scale as a small-business owner.”
STEPHEN TANCRED
Mr Tancred said he has represented older and younger people in the past four years as a councillor, and said he was proud of the latest crop of councillors.
“Don’t read everything you read in the paper, we’re getting things done,” Mr Tancred said.
“We’ve done it tough, we’ve gone from drought, to flood, and then Covid, it’s been a big term.”
Mr Tancred said he was a hard worker and was only one of two councillors who attended all meetings in the last term.
“It’s been an honour to serve the Southern Downs in the last four years,” he said.
BRETT TUNBRIDGE
The Pratten local opened by saying a trip to Wallangarra opened his eyes that a lot of the region’s issues were the same.
“Working together is the most important thing we can do as a council, I’m looking forward to see what we can do to make things better,” Mr Tunbridge said.
“I believe we can do better, I know in myself I’m prepared to put the effort in.”
JOEL RICHTERS
Joel Richters discussed his pathway to Warwick, including working in Goondiwindi in healthcare and running with the Labor Party in the state election.
Mr Richters said one of the biggest issues in the region was housing, and said there was a lot of red tape around the issue.
“There is a lot more technology which can help create a full loop of communication and transparency between councillors and the public,” he said.
Mr Richters also said he wanted a 50 year water strategy, and some “real strong” headway with dam storage and water security.
NOEL GROSSKOPF
Mr Grosskopf said there was two sides to every story and said the process of running had opened his eyes.
“One of the things I want to do is set up a schedule in the evening where people who work in the middle of the day can meet and discuss issues affecting them, so they know their voice is heard,” Mr Grosskopf said.
The 20-year air force veteran said he would like to make a positive difference in the community.
RUSSELL WANTLING
The Apple and Grape Harvest Festival president opened by saying he was the world's worst public speaker, but was known for getting things done.
“My drought charity helped over 500 families during that period,” he said.
Mr Wantling said there was a lot of red tape with builders and there needed to be a way for projects to get through quicker.
“If you want someone who can stand up and get things done, vote for me,” he said.
CAMERON GOW
Mr Gow moved to the region in 2000, and said family was extremely important to him.
“I’ve spent a lot of time on community groups here and I understand what volunteering means here,” he said.
“I’ve been a chair, vice chair, and secretary in the last years.”
Mr Gow said a priority for council should be to amplify tourism.
ROSS BARTLEY
The fifth generation cattle and grain farmer opened by saying good policy building was the cornerstone of a good local government.
“We’re all aware of water issues and waste management issues, one thing I have found is to be careful, calm and listen,” Mr Bartley said.
“Good robust debate brings good decisions, I bring a level of experience and knowledge, and leadership.”
ABSENT: CYNTHIA MCDONALD
MAYORAL Q&A
Mayor Vic Pennisi and mayoral candidate Lindsay Goodwin debated on several topics of interest suggested by the audience, from water issue to the much-maligned Stanthorpe Art Gallery Library project.
Mayoral candidate Melissa Hamilton was absent, and some technical issues prevented Mr Goodwin from answering some questions coherently, as he called in via video call and was hard to be heard.
Here’s what they said.
HOW TO SOLVE THE WATER ISSUE
Out of the three candidates, incumbent mayor Vic Pennisi spoke first.
“I will continue to advocate for new water that supports communities and doesn’t take water from other communities,” Mr Pennisi said.
FIRE HAZARD REDUCTION
Mr Goodwin said the council must work with the fire brigade and support them to help reduction of fire hazard, and reduce fuel load for fires.
Mr Pennisi responded by saying work was already being done.
“Our local management group oversees fire reduction, using rates, which is ear-tagged for fire breaks,” Mr Pennisi said.
“We back burn on council owned land, and we have to comply like any landholder. There are times when we would like to back burn but we can’t get permits, like everyone else.”
SHOULD COUNCILLORS BE RESTRICTED TO INDIVIDUAL REGIONS?
“Regional councillors were in place in previous years, we’re going to go through a process and find out if that’s what you want,” Mr Pennisi said.
“Currently you can contact nine councillors to represent you, and the whole region, but we will ask the community if that’s what you want. The CEO has it on his agenda.”
Mr Goodwin said one of his policies that he was looking into was being more contactable and as a councillor he needed to be available to the community and ratepayers to discuss issues.
“People who need information should be able to look up the phone numbers easily to find,” he said.
WHAT IS THE BEST OPTION FOR WATER SECURITY?
“Council’s preferred option is that the urban water is taken out of the same dam used for irrigation water,” Mr Pennisi said.
STANTHORPE ART GALLERY UPDATE
Mr Goodwin would not comment until he looked at the books, but said he would make it his priority to make sure it was completed and used for the community.
“It’s a difficult question for Lindsay to answer as he doesn't know the intricacies due to not being on council, but we have since contacted a new contractor, and you will soon see tradies on site very soon,” Mr Pennisi said.
“The walls are painted and the carpets are down, it is very close to completion.”
Mr Pennisi said there was a decision looming regarding local tradies which are owed money by the original contractors, St Hilliers.
Mr Pennisi closed questions by thanking the councillors for the previous term, and wished his mayoral candidates the best.
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