Koliana Winchester announces retirement ahead of 2020 local government election
One of southeast Queensland’s largest councils will have at least five new faces after the March election following the resignation of another longstanding councillor.
Moreton
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Moreton Bay Regional Councillor Koliana Winchester (Div 6) has announced she will not contest the 2020 Local Government Election.
The Redcliffe Peninsula based councillor was first elected in a by-election for Redcliffe City Council in 2005. She was elected as a councillor for Moreton Bay Regional Council in 2012 and again in 2016.
Cr Winchester is not the first longstanding councillor to announce her retirement with neighbouring councillor James Houghton (Div 5) also pulling out of the race along with Division 4 councillor Julie Greer.
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There will be a new face in Division 2 with current councillor Peter Flannery nominating as a mayoral candidate.
Division 12 councillor Adrian Raedel, who had also previously nominated as a mayoral candidate, is still suspended following a CCC investigation. So there will also be a new councillor to cover Bellmere, Burpengary, Moodlu, Mount Mee, Wamuran and Woodford.
Cr Winchester made her retirement announcement via her Facebook page.
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“It has been a privilege and an honour to represent the great people and beautiful community of the Redcliffe Peninsula, on both the Redcliffe City Council and more recently, the Moreton Bay Regional Council,” she wrote.
“I have enjoyed a close relationship with the people and groups of the Redcliffe Peninsula, one which has seen our beautiful part of the world grow in so many ways.
“This is not an easy decision. But it’s time to move on to the next chapter of my life and spend some time in retirement with my husband Bill and my loving family and grandchildren.”
In her post Cr Winchester listed a number of achievements including:
■ Advocating for residents on development issues
■ Establishing the Old Fire Station Gallery
■ Placemaking projects such as Bee Gees Way
■ Healthy waterways initiatives at Humpybong Creek, Bells Creek and the Hays Inlet Eco Path
So far former Redcliffe Peninsula Chamber of Commerce president Ryan Elson is the only candidate to nominate for Division 6.
The Local Government Election is on March 28.
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