Amy Eden promises to open council’s financial records to the public if elected Cairns’ mayor

One Cairns Regional Council mayoral candidate has promised to revolutionise the way council interacts with the public. This is what they have vowed to do if they are elected in March.

Cairns mayoral candidates are committing to some grand ideas. Picture: File photos

Mayoral candidate Amy Eden has promises to make the council’s detailed financial records available to the public as grand promises begin to flow from those seeking the council’s top job ahead of the March election.

Cairns will elect a new council on March 16.

Ms Eden said her commitment to transparency would open up the council to the public in a way not seen before.

“Content published to the transparency portal may include detailed financial records from council and its stakeholders, asset management data and procurement data relating to large purchases and contracts, presented in interactive formats. The range of data available through the TIP will be continually expanded over the next four years,” she said.

“Our communities will be able to easily see how the council is performing and better understand council decisions.”

Amy Eden has promised to open up the council to the public in a way that hasn’t been seen before. Picture: Isaac McCarthy

When asked how she would manage information that was confidential, such as commercial-in-confidence documents or private ratepayers’ information, under such a system, Ms Eden said: “The Information Privacy Act 2009 recognises the importance of protecting the personal information of individuals. It contains a set of rules or ‘privacy principles’ that govern how Queensland Government agencies collect, store, use and disclose personal information”.

Paul Taylor has committed to hosting a forum on community safety in his first 100 days, if elected. Picture: Brendan Radke

Independent candidate Paul Taylor has committed to holding an open forum on community safety in his first 100 days as mayor, if he is elected.

“I want to hear from the residents, stakeholders, business owners and the influential voices in our community,” Mr Taylor said.

Denis Walls has promised he would commit the council to playing a significant role in a state government buyback of Taylor Point. Picture: Brendan Radke

“My past experience as a deputy commissioner of police underpins my deep understanding of crime and safety.

“Crime compromises our tourism, economy and businesses. It makes people nervous to live the life they want to live. That is unacceptable and unfair.”

Denis Walls, leader of the Community First team, has promised he would commit council “to a significant role in a state government buyback of Taylor Point”, if elected mayor.

Cairns Regional Council mayor Terry James has promises stability and good governance. Picture: Brendan Radke

He has also committed to holding regular public forums, reinvigorating Cairns CBD, making council decisions publicly and reviewing the council’s management plan “to avoid a repeat of the events caused by Tropical Cyclone Jasper’s floods”.

Independent John Kelly has promised low cost parking in Cairns CBD, including free parking at Cairns Hospital.

He has also promised to build more accommodation for the homeless.

Cairns Mayor Terry James has promised his team will be uniform in the principles of “good governance and decision-making, integrity through ethical behaviour, and stability and certainty by abiding by the law and councillor’s code of conduct through the experience we bring”.

Originally published as Amy Eden promises to open council’s financial records to the public if elected Cairns’ mayor