Cleveland councillor champions construction against coronavirus ails at bayside paradise

A re-elected councillor at a picturesque bayside CBD has suggested construction of a new council building to fuel a local economy hamstrung by coronavirus restrictions.

General photograph of Redland City Council building for Redland Community News, Thursday, February 21, 2019 (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

A RE-ELECTED bayside councillor is keen to supercharge construction projects to pull his electorate out of a coronavirus slump.

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Redland City Council Division 2 councillor Peter Mitchell was grateful for another four years at the job despite challenging times.

After preferences the councillor had secured 58 per cent of the vote, up three per cent from his previous effort.

“If you are going to be in trouble it may as well be in paradise,” Cr Mitchell said.

The qualified physiotherapist and admitted fitness junkie said COVID-19 may have refocused priorities and tempered influences by political extremes.

“This is really going to focus people’s attention on what is important,” Cr Mitchell said.

“I think a lot of the superfluous nonsense that bubbles in political spheres may drop away.

“There could be a really productive reset and I am really excited by that.”

Elected to council in 2016 as part of Mayor Karen Williams’ team Cr Mitchell said the construction industry could give Cleveland and surrounds a kickstart while other parts of the economy remains hampered by coronavirus restrictions.

Peter Mitchell was quietly confident of his eventual re-election.

“There are very strong, sensible projects already in works that could be prioritised,” he said.

“There should be a strategic look at the whole of the town centre, from built form down to what capital projects might be brought forward.

“I am hoping to see a council-led construction project that could be a fantastic multiplier for local contractors.

“It might be our own council accommodation that has been in need of a new building for some time and that could be done with Redlands Investment Corporation.

“It is a building that is very aged and has a lot of maintenance issues – it is Blu Tack and sticky tape that is keeping the place together.”

The councillor suggested Redlands Coast Regional Sport and Recreation Precinct at Heinemann Rd in Mount Cotton might be another worthwhile project to fast-track.

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Cr Mitchell remains a proponent of the controversial Toondah Harbour project, which he said may be viewed in a more favourable light given the stresses on the local economy.