Division 9 councillor Brett Olds attributes sudden council cash turnaround to Cairns community

Residents cheered and jumped for joy as the Cairns Regional Council surprised everyone in the room, including its own officers, by returning cash transactions at its Wednesday meeting.

Delighted residents watched live as their pursuit to overturn council’s cashless decision cleared the final hurdle when councillors voted unanimously to boomerang cash transactions back to its facilities.

After council’s executive team began removing the option of cash transactions in 2019, more than 5000 residents signed a petition that demanded the decision be reversed.

On Wednesday, more than 50 issue-motivated residents packed the gallery of the council’s chambers, abuzz with speculation on the outcome of the vote.

About fifty more watched a live broadcast in the council’s foyer. 

The situation initially seemed glum to the audience when the agenda item flashed on screen, underneath which the council officers’ recommendation was to maintain the status quo.

Cairns councillors vote to return cash transactions to council facilities. Picture: Isaac McCarthy

But deputy mayor Terry James surprised almost everyone when he quickly moved an alternative motion – a dramatic backflip, which recommended the council return cash transactions as an option to all its services, as well as make library services free of charge. 

A joyful gasp circulated through the room. 

Cr James’ alternative motion included a return of cash transactions to Portsmith and Smithfield transfer stations, while Gordonvale and Babinda transfer stations would accept prepaid vouchers, which could be purchased from the council’s Spence St office.

The motion also included the installation of cash ticket machines at CPAC, Tanks Art Centre and the Portsmith buy back shop.

Mooroobool resident Frankie Hogan celebrates the council's unanimous vote after organising a 5000-signature petition. Picture: Cairns Post

Mayor Bob Manning put the motion to the councillors, who voted unanimously; the room erupted in cheers and applause. 

Petition leader and Mooroobool resident Frankie Hogan leapt for joy and quickly embraced several councillors.

Division 9 councillor Brett Olds, who had been fervently campaigning within council on behalf of the petitioners, cited “an act of God” for the change in councillors’ sentiment.

“I’ve got to give credit to the deputy mayor for coming up with that really well thought out idea,” Cr Olds said.

Division 9 councillor Brett Olds celebrates with residents after the council vote. Picture: Isaac McCarthy

“Thirty-six hours ago I thought we’d lose this motion, I really did. Something worked in their hearts, and I believe it was the community … the credit has to go mainly to the community.”

Cr James said it was the largest crowd he had seen at a council meeting in 21 years.

“You’ve got to read the tea leaves, and listen to the people. It’s as simple as that,” Cr James said.

Deputy mayor Terry James speaks with petition organiser Frankie Hogan after the council vote. Picture: Isaac McCarthy

“I rang around (to the other councillors) and said I had come up with a third option.”

Other councillors had previously raised concerns that cash collection at the libraries would cost more than the revenue generated.

Cr James said that played into the decision to make services free.

“There’s not a lot of cash that goes through the library services these days. To get rid of the problem, we thought we’d give the community a free service at the library,” he said.

“Eventually the world is going to go cashless, we know that. But we don’t have to be part of the problem, for now we’re part of the solution.”

Cr James couldn’t confirm when the changes would come into effect.

“It will go back to the officers now and they’ll start working on it straight away. it might take them a little bit of time … maybe a couple of months,” he said.

“It was a bit of a surprise for them too.”

Originally published as Division 9 councillor Brett Olds attributes sudden council cash turnaround to Cairns community