Cairns mayor Amy Eden’s new website rankles councillors

Cairns ratepayer resources have been used to create a new website promoting mayor Amy Eden as the city’s council wrestles with housing and waste management crises while preparing its mid-year budget.

Mayor Amy Eden's new website.

Cairns ratepayer resources have been used to create a new website promoting mayor Amy Eden as the city’s council wrestles with housing and waste management crises while preparing its mid-year budget.

Councillors became aware of Ms Eden’s latest production, featuring the council’s branding and the ‘Team Eden’ colour scheme she used during her election campaign, earlier this week.

It is unclear whether the mayor sought permission to use Cairns Regional Council’s logo on her own page but a council spokesman said the platform was “an independent initiative”.

Cairns Regional Council’s Gavin King, attends an ordinary meeting earlier this year. Picture: Brendan Radke

The logo has since been removed from the website.

While Ms Eden has paid for the website herself, it is understood the mayor confirmed that councillor adviser Gavin King contributed to the site during a meeting with councillors and staff on Wednesday.

Ms Eden's website originally featured Cairns Regional Council's logo on its pages. It has since been removed.

According to the Department of Local Government, a councillor adviser can be directed to complete any tasks requested by a mayor or councillor, except political campaigning.

The Cairns Post attempted to contact Mr King, who was hired to support Ms Eden’s “work and vision” across policy, advocacy and strategic communications in September.

But the former Far North MP declined to comment on his involvement with the mayor’s new website.

Division Seven councillor Anna Middleton is concerned with the content on mayor Amy Eden’s website which lists a number of accomplishments she has “achieved” during her tenure. Picture: Emily Barker.

Division Seven councillor Anna Middleton said the mayor’s failure to consult with the council and appearing to take credit for others’ accomplishments on her new platform was concerning.

“In my view, the mayor’s website represents another misuse of council resources in her relentless quest for self-promotion,” Ms Middleton said.

“I believe the website ignores the fact that nine other councillors are actively working to benefit Cairns.”

Cairns Division 3 councillor Cathy Zeiger, who recently celebrated 10 years in her role, lobbied in partnership with Cairns Regional Council officers and executives for the establishment of a multicultural centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

The website features goals the mayor has “achieved” during her tenure including securing funds for the $4m multicultural centre in White Rock and the $5m sporting precinct in Redlynch.

Councillors Cathy Zeiger and Kristy Vallely both championed the respective projects in partnership with the council’s executive and staff members over an extended period prior to receiving the financial backing.

“From my understanding, many of the initiatives the mayor highlights were already underway before her tenure,” Ms Middleton said.

“She appears reluctant to credit the councillors who made these successes possible.

“In my view, this unwillingness to collaborate undermines efforts by the rest of the council to achieve well-considered, high functioning, aligned and fiscally responsible outcomes for the community.”

Other councillors have reportedly expressed concern about the level of credit Ms Eden has taken for other initiatives, including securing funding for the Cairns Water Security Project – a council initiative which predated Ms Eden’s election as mayor. Leading a community safety roundtable event held earlier this month — which was instigated by deputy mayor Brett Olds — is also listed as achievement.

Instead of building websites and organising performers to sing the national anthem prior to ordinary meetings, Ms Middleton said there were more pressing matters the council desperately needed to address in the coming months.

A massive fire destroyed the Bedminster Advanced Resource Recovery Facility earlier this year.

Chief among them is lobbying the state government to waive its waste levy fees after a massive blaze destroyed the Bedminster Advanced Resource Recovery Facility in January.

“We have serious issues like the fallout from the fire to manage and this seems to be an unnecessary distraction,” she said.

The council slugged ratepayers with a 6.7 per cent rate rise last year.

Deputy Mayor Brett Olds said all of the council’s focus “needs to be on benefiting the community”.

In a statement regarding her website, Ms Eden said: “I don’t have a team on Council and I campaigned on transparency and community engagement.

“That’s why my website is one of the platforms I use, just like many other mayors across the country, to advocate for Council projects and speak directly to local residents in an unfiltered way.”

The mayor was elected alongside fellow Team Eden councillor Trevor Tim last March.

Originally published as Cairns mayor Amy Eden’s new website rankles councillors