Mental health professional Jai Philpots throws hat into ring for Division 2

Inspired by his brother’s death to do more for the community, Jai Philpots will contest Division 2 in the upcoming council election. See what he stands for.

Jai Philpots has thrown his hat into the ring to contest Division 2 in the upcoming local government election. Picture: Supplied.

A “civically-minded” mental health professional who is petitioning for better infrastructure in Townsville’s northern suburbs, will contest Division 2 in the 2024 Local Government Election.

A Townsville resident for 25 years, Jai Philpots, 28, grew up attending Bluewater State School, St Anthony’s Catholic College and James Cook University, and now lives at Burdell with his wife Jemma and daughter Evelyn, 3.

After working in hospitality while studying his degree, Mr Philpots went on to practice psychology at Queensland Correctional Centres, going to work at a private practise, before settling into a role at a local not-for-profit organisation.

It was the tragic death of his brother Kurt in a crash on the Bruce Highway at Black River in November 2019, that motivated Mr Philpots’ run as an independent council candidate to “do more to help the community”.

“I was always quite mindful of that road … and it’s good to see that they have pretty much finished the Black River road works, but there is always more to do,” Mr Philpots said.

“We’ve got a really big population out here and the North Shore development, it’s only about halfway complete and we’re already facing nightmares with traffic and other infrastructure shortcomings.

Jai Philpots has thrown his hat into the ring to contest Division 2 in the upcoming local government election. Picture: Supplied.

“There just isn’t really a strong commitment to sort of address (northern suburb upgrades to) infrastructure, including social infrastructure.”

Not seeing many fresh ideas for his side of town, Mr Philpots has launched dual petitions with Townsville City Council to get a library and a waterpark built in Townsville’s Northern Beaches.

“I would like the community to have their say on these new ideas, and the e-petition approach guarantees the idea will make it to council business, regardless of the result next year,” he said.

If he was able to be elected, his priorities were boosting transparency and “taking a more community-centric approach to decision-making”.

“I am proud to announce that I have no interest in making backroom deals, secret handshakes or confirmed endorsements with any politician or political party, because I believe making deals with such elites holds councillors back from being the best representative for their local community,” he said.

As the countdown to election day on March 16, 2024 continues, Mr Philpots joins Bushland Beach’s Shari Fabbro and Burdell’s Brodie Phillips in contesting the seat of Division 2, which will be vacated by outgoing councillor Sue Blom.

For more information, visit Jai Philpots’ candidate page on Facebook.

Originally published as Mental health professional Jai Philpots throws hat into ring for Division 2