Council election 2020: New Southport candidate pledges $10m park revamp

More than $10 million in upgrades to Southport’s parks will be announced today by the latest wannabe politician vying to replace Dawn Crichlow.

MORE than $10 million in upgrades to Southport’s parks will be announced today by the latest wannabe politician vying to replace Dawn Crichlow.

Long-serving council staffer Shaelee Welchman will this morning announce her candidacy for Division 6, promising a big-spending agenda to revitalise the city’s central business district.

“Our community is now over 100 years old and for three decades we’ve been served by the illustrious Dawn Crichlow,” she said.

Shaelee Welchman will announce her candidacy today.

“So as a new era dawns, it is time to elect a fresh voice for Southport, with a vision to represent all its interests.

“Division 6 has nearly 50 parks, with about 15 to 20 with playgrounds. As our community grows there’s limited ability to create more open space to service the needs of our community.”

Among those public spaces named as needing a revamp are Ward Park in Nyora St and Woodroffe Park on the corner of Lawson and Garden streets.

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Southport has plenty of parks.

“Woodroffe Park in the middle of the CBD is also so under-utilised. It has issues with anti-social behaviour but it is so close to the library and has a great basketball court,” she said.

“My vision for this park is Bryant’s Park in New York, where we could provide free activities, basketball competitions, library facilities and movable furniture.”

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Retiring councillor Dawn Crichlow.

The mother of two, who has worked at city hall for 20 years, was involved on some of the Coast’s biggest projects in recent years, including the light rail, Broadwater Parklands expansion and Chinatown, as the head of the CBD office.

Ms Welchman is the fourth candidate to announce a run at the Southport seat, joining Brooke Patterson, Michael Pulford and Susie Gallagher, all of whom unsuccessfully contested seats in 2016.

Cr Crichlow, who was first elected in 1991, is standing down at the March election after 29 years in office.