Far North mayoral candidate set to run unopposed in next month’s local government elections

Failing a late contender emerging this week, Douglas Shire’s only mayoral candidate is a walk up start for the region’s top job.

Douglas Shire councillor Lisa Scomazzon is running for mayor. Image: Gizelle Ghidella

Douglas Shire Council’s sole mayoral candidate is poised to run unopposed, failing an 11th hour contender emerging before nominations close next week.

Councillor Lisa Scomazzon confirmed her intentions to run for the top job on Monday, ending weeks of speculation regarding the position.

If elected, the Newell Beach business owner will replace the outgoing Michael Kerr, becoming just the third leader since Douglas Shire’s deamalgamation from Cairns in 2014.

A leadership vacuum finally compelled her to run for the top job, the current deputy mayor said.

Douglas Shire councillors Abigail Noli, deputy mayor Lisa Scomazzon, mayor Michael Kerr, Peter Mckeown and Cr Roy Zammataro at the Mossman Wastewater plant.

“Well I guess someone had to do it,” Ms Scomazzon said.

“I waited and no-one put their hand up.

“But I’ve been in council for four years now and I think it’s time we started looking after locals.

“And we’ve got a big job to do now after the recent natural disasters.”

With a limited ratepayer base, improving the council’s relationship with the state and federal government was critical, Ms Scomazzon said, in order to improve the region’s infrastructure.

“We need to seriously look at water, sewerage and rebuilding our roads in partnership with them,” she said.

“It seems to be lagging at the moment. I talk to the locals north of the river and they’re trying to work out what’s going on, get businesses open and tourists back.

“We just need to get things moving.”

Douglas Shire councillor Roy Zammataro says the region must be better prepared for natural disasters. Image: Gizelle Ghidella

Fellow councillor Roy Zammataro said he had no issue with Ms Scomazzon potentially running uncontested.

“If it’s a one horse race I don’t see that as a problem because that means no-one thinks they can beat that candidate,” Mr Zammataro said.

“Water is obviously the big issue but one of my goals is to look at investing in preventing some of what happens during the wet season.

“Every time we have a cyclone, branches hit powerlines and we have power outages for days.

“Things like cutting trees around powerlines seems pretty simple to me.”

The new mayoral candidate also said she wouldn’t rule out the possibility of merging with another council in the future.

“It was a decision made at the time and we have to live with it,” Ms Scomazzon said of the previous decision to deamalgamate.

“But we need to be transparent with the community and open the books up first.

“If people think we’re not sustainable, then that’s something we can look at. But let’s show people where their money’s going first.”

The deadline to register as a candidate in the local government elections is next Tuesday.

Local government elections are held on March 16.

Originally published as Far North mayoral candidate set to run unopposed in next month’s local government elections