Councillor says time to refocus on issues that matter to community

A re-elected Moreton Bay region councillor says the new council should refocus on getting the basics right.

Cr Brooke Savige pic for council adfeat

Although still not prepared to claim the win in Division 1 of the Moreton Bay Regional Council elections Brooke Savige is keen to get back to work and on with the job.

After 76.72 per cent of the vote counted, the sitting councillor had polled 14417 votes or 78.08 per cent.

In the mayoral race, Peter Flannery held a lead of 4611 votes after 60.67 per cent of the vote counted.

Cr Savige said Division I still had not been declared, there were still some postal votes to come through and she preferred to wait for something official.

Get 28 days digital access free (T&Cs apply)

“The support has been strong and positive and that is a wonderful feeling,” she said.

“It was a very interesting campaign, with all the changes at polling booths. I had to accept that I could do no more and hoped my efforts had been enough.”

Cr Savige said she had a number key areas she would be advocating for in the new council.

“The planning scheme must reflect community sentiments and we must go back to the drawing board and reflect what the community wants.

“And that is across the whole region, not just in Division 1.

“There needs to be more focus on an economic plan for the individual areas to strengthen local business.

“We need to refocus on local issues for infrastructure and spending.

“A lot of large projects happened in the southern parts of the region but not enough in Division 1,” Cr Savige said.

“It’s the day-to-day issues that have the most impact on communities and we need to get them right.

“We need to be changing policy to better support the people who make up our region.”

Cr Savige said this including a rates discount for part pensioners, more support for youth in the area and more community events.

“There was a push before the election for such things as eco-tourism opportunities for that are on Bribie.

“Events like movies in the park are lovely evenings when people come and spend time with their families.

“They are a lovely addition to what we already have here on the island.

“So when you get the small things right, it has a flow-on effect.