Townsville City Council’s newcomers warm up at start of term

Residents were already asking their new council representatives before their first day when they will be fixing the local roads, newcomer Brady Ellis says. Here’s how he plans to take on the new job.

The investiture of newly elected Townsville City Councillors at the council chambers. Mayor Troy Thompson and Cr Brady Ellis. Picture: Evan Morgan

Residents were already asking their new council representatives before their first day when they would be fixing the local roads.

A newcomer to the Townsville City Council chamber Brady Ellis said it feels like being “on the Survivor Island” getting to know the other councillors before they start taking votes.

The Division 10 councillor said the vibe between councillors had so far been friendly, and he would “catch more bees with honey than with vinegar” and work with other councillors to deliver for his constituents.

But he was prepared to fight for them if he had to.

“People haven’t given me their trust to get in there and be everyones’ mate,” Mr Ellis said.

“The idea is we want to get the results for the city and we want to get results for Division 10.

“So I will try the honey option first.

Brady and Lily Ellis with Sophie. Among the campaign issues that Mr Ellis focused on was showing his support to allow fishing in Ross River Dam. Picture: Chris Burns.

“But if I have to I’ll bring out the vinegar.”

Mr Ellis’s predecessor Fran O’Callaghan, who battled ovarian cancer while serving in the last part of the term, offered an outspoken voice within the council chamber.

She ran for mayor and Division 1’s new councillor Paul Jacob believes she would have won if she had not stepped down because of health reasons.

New councillors including Mr Ellis are learning their roles and how they can legally conduct themselves as they meet with their chamber colleagues officially for the first time this week and as they begin their training.

They have only a few months to familiarise themselves before the release of the annual budget.

New Division 2 councillor Brodie Phillips said he would be held to account by constituents. He replaces Sue Blom, who had taken an individualistic approach within the council chamber last term. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Four councillors sat in the previous term and advocated for campaign Team Jenny Hill, while Mr Jacob has previously served within the council.

Six elected representatives including Mayor Troy Thompson are new to local government bureaucracy.

Constituents have already been contacting their elected representatives including Mr Ellis and Mr Jacob even before the election results were formally declared.

“I’ve had people message me saying ‘Brady, you haven’t fixed the roads yet,” Mr Ellis said.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, that is a big thing to do, and I absolutely want to do it, I’ve told you I want to do that for you...let’s get sworn in, let’s get the lay of the land, there’s a huge amount of process and legality about the way council does things.

“We have to have a little bit of time to get our heads around things and then we can start getting stuck in.

“I for one have got a list of people and a list of different issues that people want me to get onto and I’m looking forward to being able to do it.”

Division 2 councillor Brodie Phillips said the council chamber was made up of individuals just like “any new workplace” and that they were still figuring out their dynamics.

He said they were each a voice representing their own communities.

“They put their trust in all of us to work together for the betterment for each of our communities, but also the city as a whole,” Mr Phillips said.

“All of the councillors need to be held to account, and they’re representing their communities the way the community wants them to,” Mr Phillips said.

He said it would take time to understand the process within the council and to understand the details behind the issues.

Originally published as Townsville City Council’s newcomers warm up at start of term