Amanda Cooper resigns from Brisbane City Council
Amanda Cooper has resigned from Brisbane City Council amid speculation she plans to run for preselection for a State Government seat.
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AMANDA Cooper has announced her resignation from Brisbane City Council amid speculation she plans to run for preselection for the state seat of Aspley.
Cr Cooper, who has represented Bracken Ridge Ward since 2007, is currently Chair of Council’s Infrastructure Committee.
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LNP’s Amanda Cooper looks to contest state seat of Aspley
She has also served eight years as Chair of Council’s Neighbourhood Planning and Development Assessment Committee, from 2008-2016.
Her resignation takes effect from close of business today.
Cr Cooper said due to LNP party requirements she could not comment, at this stage, on her future plans within the party.
However she did say that, after 12 years, “the time has come for a new challenge”.
“I’ve been growing more and more frustrated watching Brisbane City Council’s record investments in our northern suburbs undermined by a stalling Queensland economy and ‘barely-there’ representation at a state level.
“I entered public life to make a positive difference to those living in Brisbane’s northern suburbs and I look forward to future opportunities to do just that.”
Cr Cooper said it had been “an absolute honour” to represent the residents of Bracken Ridge ward.
“As a long-time local I’ve unashamedly fought for our outer northern suburbs and ensured government investment and decisions flowed outside of our inner city.
“I have therefore been proud to be part of an LNP administration that has continued to invest record amounts in improving our local suburbs, services and businesses.
“It’s also been a privilege to have been able to have a direct hand in the decisions that have grown and improved our great city in my roles as Planning and Development and Infrastructure Chairs.
“Whether it’s building better roads and reducing congestion; more parks, footpaths, pools and libraries; or keeping grass mowed and bins emptied, no government has done more to keep Brisbane’s living standards improving over the past decade than Brisbane City Council.
“It’s credit to Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and his LNP administration, and I wish all my council colleagues the very best in the future.
“I also thank my family, staff and volunteers for all their hard work over the years, and I look forward to supporting my replacement in ensuring we keep Labor out.”
The state seat of Aspley is currently held by the ALP’s Bart Mellish, who won it from the LNP’s Tracy Davis in 2017.
Ms Davis, who represented Aspley from 2009-2017, is now a Brisbane City Councillor for McDowall Ward, after replacing Cr Norm Wyndham who retired earlier this year.
Labor holds the Aspley seat with a margin of just over one percentage point.
Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington has previously named Aspley as one of 11 target seats the LNP must win if it is to win government from Labor at the October 2020 poll.
Before becoming a councillor, Ms Cooper was a policy Adviser on Urban Planning and Economic Development.
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