Council election 2024: Roads, rates highest priorities of Gympie voters

A third bridge across the Mary River, reopening the Civic Centre, new sport facilities - the men and women vying to be part of the incoming council have revealed their passion projects and how they plan to fix five of the biggest issues facing the region.

Council election candidates have revealed how they plan to fix five of the biggest issues facing the region including Infrastructure and sports fields, roads, rates, transparency, and flooding.

They say everything old is new again, and when it comes to the hot issues, Gympie voters want its incoming council to fix it is remarkably true.

A poll of The Gympie Times’ readers asking what they believed were the five biggest priorities in the region revealed infrastructure issues, the state of rural roads, climbing rates bills, transparency, and flooding were most pressing.

All 26 candidates have been asked how they intended to address these concerns, and their responses are below.

Some have been edited for length.

Infrastructure (including sports facilities) to keep up with population growth

Mayoral

Glen Hartwig

Council has identified appropriate land for a multi-use indoor sports stadium. My vision is to invest in our infrastructure and facilities with a view to servicing our region’s needs, and the growth, for the next 50 years. Under my leadership, solid financial principles will be the foundation of any investment.

Mark McDonald

As mayor … I pledge to prioritise infrastructure development by collaborating with local stakeholders and securing funding streams to enhance our community’s facilities. By focusing on innovative partnerships and strategic investments, I aim to deliver state-of-the-art sporting facilities, promoting health, wellness, and community engagement throughout Gympie

Naomi Wilson

We have not kept up with our population growth. As your mayor, I will be looking at all forms of solutions but this is such a wide ranging subject, very hard to cover in a short few words.

A squeeze on the number of available sports fields was among the top priorities The Gympie Times’ readers want the incoming council to fix.

Division 1

Jess Milne

The lack of full understanding of the region’s infrastructure asset condition for future planning is making strategies for upgrades/improvements difficult due to budgeting priority unknowns. While I feel that while it would be great to have equal standard to other areas’ infrastructure, our budget realities give perspective of function over fancy and I believe that facilities such as sporting can grow into the future with innovative use arrangements plus long term migration planning to expand.

Hilary Smerdon

Council are always planning for population growth and infrastructure needed which in a lot of instances is not under our control. Council is planning a new central sports precinct with a number of sites identified which will be up to the new council to implement.

Division 2

Marcel Claassens

We need more discussions with residents affected by the need of more infrastructure.

Dolly Jensen

We are always looking to improve our infrastructure to keep up with the southern migration. Also, we have been investigating the possibility of a sporting precinct. Hopefully that can be achieved this term.

Division 3

Charlie Horne

Every opportunity for funding must be seized to improve infrastructure, more population means more revenue and also more demand. Extra land must be set aside for sporting venues and they must be flood free with plenty of parking and be multi-use to minimise a lot of the facilities. Planning is the key.

Shane Warnes

Yes we do need to keep up with population growth with infrastructure but also expansion of our sewerage and water, ensuring we have safe roads to accommodate the amount of traffic, will we have support from state government to assist with doctors and nurses for our hospital and clinics.

Solutions to the region’s ongoing flood problems made the top five most urgent issues, according to readers. Picture Lachie Millard

Division 4

Wayne Boyd

To effectively secure funding for upgrading our ageing network of streets, sewerage and water pipes.

Mick Curran

Region – Water security, Waste Management Facility – improved recycling and less to landfill, delivery of a third bridge for the Southside (strong advocacy to state government), improved health services (state and private) improved road network (less congested intersections at key locations). Delivery of new sporting fields and the indoor sports stadium. Have vibrant town centres in rural townships … re-open our Civic Centre as a priority, reopen Memorial Park Rotunda as a priority.

Bruce Devereaux

Because the last four years has been focused on building back our region’s capacity in so many areas, including improving a documented lack of financial literacy within our managerial ranks, we are now in a position to take bolder steps going forward. We always knew this last term wouldn’t be one for grand legacy projects and we’d appear to have been dragging our feet on announcements, however it was vital your council took a responsible approach to the issues we faced as a region. Now there is a genuine opportunity for projects of significant regional importance in the coming term, including the likelihood of an indoor sporting facility.

Rae Gate

Lifestyle and liveability are important for current residents and new families moving into the area. As the populations grows so does the need for further infrastructure to fill the needs of the community, e.g. pools, parks, sporting grounds, schools, shopping. Development and planning is essential for future infrastructure and upgrading of current facilities.

Michael Torrens

Infrastructure is vital to Gympie’s growth. Strong sporting groups promote a sense of community, pride for our region and outlets for our youth, so grounds and venues are highly prized. We also need a much more visible approach to advocating with the state government for our road network so as a region we can all push.

Division 5

Kris Kahler

Multiple locations need traffic signals. We can’t just sit back and wait for the bypass as the congestion areas are locals going to work or school nothing to do with through traffic. Same as traffic most sports have outgrown their facilities.

Allona Lahn

As a strong, passionate, community driven, councillor and a can do woman, community unity, moral and forward progress in the area of infrastructure particularly sporting fields and stadiums is a priority. With so many possibilities and opportunities for community events, the hub and heart of the town, the Civic Centre needs to back in action ASAP.

Dan Stewart

There is no doubt we need more indoor and outdoor sports facilities, a larger library, a new pool at Tin Can Bay, improved Civic Centre, as well as upgraded roads, waste disposal, water and sewerage systems. There is no quick fix, but council needs to develop an infrastructure improvement timeline to better guide our staff and finances.

The years-long closure of the Civic Centre, and its urgent need to be reopened, has become a hot topic among candidates. Picture: Christine Schindler

Division 6

Dave Golding

Water security and sewage need to be first priority in all towns within Gympie Regional Council region. Any other infrastructure such as sporting facilities would need a contribution from state or federal level to assist with such projects and be done with full ratepayer consultation.

Warren McEwan

Our arts community is pushing ahead on its own, independent of council, but would benefit greatly from a modern, flexible events space to enable more of a community of this size to be involved. Gympie town area is well serviced for sports ground, though more seating and undercover areas would be a boost and this needs to be replicated in our more rural towns also.

Brian Thomas

Infrastructure cost should be set aside in a depreciation account to cover repairs, refurbishing and replacement, so infrastructure can match population growth and the needs that arise without major rate increases. Ten-year plan, 10 years of savings not spending in advance, that is the issue the Queensland government used to force amalgamation on to councils, they stated services could not be provided without major rate increases, we have had rate increases that do not match an increase service.

Division 7

Sean Connelly

The most pressing concern is the ongoing closure of the Gympie Civic Centre, although the reasons for the delays to the centre reopening have now been made public, we need to work towards reopening the centre as soon as possible. We also need to expedite scoping and construction of a sports complex that brings us into at least the 20th century, let alone the 21st … I am also greatly concerned about traffic delays leading into Southside since the opening of the 7-11 garage.

Tim Jerome

Past council had land that was paid with our tax money by both the federal and state governments under the resilient homes fund, the voluntary home buyback program. Properties that were in flood areas have been bought and are earmarked for council to use. This is a great opportunity to use the land for sporting fields. Why outgoing Council have not started on sports field construction to keep up with population growth is one they need to answer.

Warren Polley

Welcome to economics. You need more population to fund more infrastructure. You need more infrastructure to attract more population. Demand will always be ahead of supply. For a local council to supply infrastructure before the demand is there is financially risky.

Donna Reardon

No response received by time of publication.

Division 8

Ruth Golden

This is a responsibility of councillors to plan for the future needs of their community. This will be documented in the new Planning Scheme with places set aside for future uses. Providing a financial plan on how it will be achieved is part of the requirement.

Gordon Maudsley

The growth of the region is to be celebrated but only if that growth is supported by the infrastructure needed to meet that demand. Councillors of each division must be on the ball working within their community knowing the needs regarding sporting facilities, community centres, roads, and access to facilities.

Improving rural roads

Mayoral

Glen Hartwig

This is imperative and something that has been a difficult task this term with the set back of the floods and then the arduous process the federal government tasked us with to access funding. Council didn’t have a road maintenance program prior to my term as Mayor so this is being developed to ensure roads are maintained and improved routinely, as part of a schedule.

Mark McDonald

Improving rural roads in the Gympie Regional Council area will involve implementing infrastructure upgrades, such as road maintenance and repairs, to ensure safe and reliable transportation for residents and businesses.

Naomi Wilson

Again present council has not been able to keep up with repairs. Perhaps we need to look at streamlining repairs, more crews and better design.

Like the sun rising in the east, the condition of Gympie’s rural roads continues to be an issue at council elections. Photo Jason Dougherty / Sunshine Coast Daily

Division 1

Jess Milne

I grew up rural but now reside in residential, and road condition is a top concern raised everywhere because we all use roads. Asset condition understanding, holistic management plans and defined service standards are needed for efficient budgeting because roads are a major cost to council so any maintenance scheduling improvements require sustainable funding models and strategic planning, and hopefully good weather.

Hilary Smerdon

Rural roads have been damaged significantly with two large rainfall events. Repairs are underway with funding achieved for this work. Good progress has been made and repair works will continue.

Division 2

Marcel Claassens

Rural roads need to be actioned in order of most dangerous to least and a completion date.

Dolly Jensen

I’ve lived on rural roads my entire life. It’s not so much about improving them more than it is about learning to drive on them. The general rule is to drive to the road conditions and respect the other drivers … With thousands of kilometres of roads and the cost of $1 million per km to bitumen it’s highly unlikely that I’ll live long enough to see all the rural roads in the region sealed.

Division 3

Charlie Horne

I’ve driven many rural roads in the region some are good and some are terrible. Certain funds will have to be allocated to upgrade these roads but some will be included in the flood recovery program (state funded).

Shane Warnes

Improving our rural roads especially our bus routes by widening our roads, maintaining roadside grass and trimming trees to allow for better visibility. Our roads need to be maintained proactively not reactively.

Transparency was the fourth most important issue for readers.

Division 4

Wayne Boyd

Establish proactive maintenance to optimise efficiency and support future growth.

Mick Curran

Return to having a programmed rural road inspection and maintenance system whereby every road is inspected by qualified council staff and respond as required. We all know weather events can impact a rural roads condition overnight (storm events etc..) … Most importantly, listen and take advice from the residents who are driving the rural roads.

Bruce Devereaux

While I acknowledge our road network can appear like we are neglecting it, we are in fact nearing the end of the most prolific spend on roads that the region has ever seen. Not only have the budgets been strongly focused on works, but the equipment used by the road crews is seeing millions spent bringing a largely ignored fleet back from the brink of disaster. Further, flood repair works have seen $90 million allocated in State funds to repair or build back better damaged sections of our network.

Rae Gate

A large percentage of our regional roads have taken a hammering with floods in 2022 and further rains late 2023 (and) early 2024. Ideally it would be great if the maintenance happened quicker. There is also the issue of some rural roads being varying widths eg starts at 7.5m then meanders to 5m then 4.5m back up to 6m, I would support a review and planning for improvement, it won’t happen overnight but we need to start the process.

Michael Torrens

We live in a rural area, and we all understand that roads aren’t always the smoothest, but what we do expect is they are maintained. We need a much greater focus on preventive maintenance.

Division 5

Kris Kahler

I learnt very early in life poor man pays twice. Put simply cut out the bandaids repair over and over. Fix it right once.

Allona Lahn

Some roads are dangerous and an “accident waiting to happen”. The car damage cost to the community is unacceptable and

my personal mission is to lobby the State and Federal Government’s for the necessary funding to fix roads and look into the possibility of distributing proportional council rates directly back into people’s local roads.

Dan Stewart

Council is steadily upgrading rural roads, though not fast enough for many people. The maintenance of gravel roads went badly off-track in 2022-23, but thankfully Council crews are now better staffed and flood recovery works has seen improvements.

Division 6

Dave Golding

Implementing a yearly maintenance schedule, including cleaning drains to lessen the damage of rainfall events to rural roads.

Have more staff and equipment based at Kilkivan to reduce travel (unproductive) time, and charge main roads an appropriate rate (such as other contractors) for work done for main roads.

Warren McEwan

With many of the main connection roads in Division 6 falling into the Department of Transport and Main Roads category, it is challenging to communicate the areas in need of attention. We need to work harder to keep the maintenance happening efficiently. Given the huge increase in traffic of our roads over the past decades, I believe a more direct repair process would go a long way towards reducing the road frustration be they local or state government roads.

Brian Thomas

There is a road maintenance index for all roads, ratepayers should be aware of this and their rights to a fair share of the road budget. Council uses the road and construction inflation index when considering rates i.e., plant, fuel and material costs … Council reports should show the annual spend on each road in dollars.

Division 7

Sean Connelly

Often the simple act of communicating with residents’ reasons for delays or future-plans, can allay fears and help with repair and restorative works expectations. In Division 7, there are multiple corners and intersections at the Pie Creek end of the division, that have poor visibility due to the rain and grass/weed growth, there needs to a way of prioritising residents’ concerns or promoting the successful resolution of escalated complaints and concerns.

Tim Jerome

There is no reason why rural roads cannot be maintained to a high and safe level. When we have floods the federal government through the state government allocate money for councils to use for road maintenance. It is my understanding that council has heaps or money sitting in the kitty for the roads, it just a case of getting it done.

Warren Polley

Welcome to the Country. Please drive to the conditions. We do have $150 million of betterment works in the pipeline. It has taken a while as we have followed a process where ratepayers don’t have to fund any of the $150 million.

Donna Reardon

No response received by time of publication.

The price of rates bills in the midst of a cot-of-living crisis is a hot issue.

Division 8

Ruth Golden

Council is falling behind on maintaining the existing rural roads now. This is partly due to regular flooding events but the turnaround on getting repairs done needs to be shorter as rough roads impact our economy and safety.

Gordon Maudsley

I have travelled almost every road in Division 8. Roads are our biggest challenge. As a council we need to take back the responsibility of fixing what is clearly broken in our own backyard. Fostering the mindset that this is a council job, not an outside contractor’s job – will be my primary focus from day one in the job.

Rates bills

Mayoral

Glen Hartwig

Our region is 7000sq km and everyone is aware of the impact of inflation on costs. Council is no different and with the extra pressure of rebuilding a previously neglected organisation it is very difficult to make ends meets. It’s important that we work to ensure we are delivering value for money across the region.

Mark McDonald

It is folly to think that we can run an efficient council with the promise of bringing down rates. Rates are necessary, as they pay for all council’s operations, but to compensate, I will reintroduce the 10 per cent discount on your general rate for early or on time payment.

Naomi Wilson

Probably not possible as the cost of living is still rising and council’s budget is not as healthy as some might have you believe. We need to sort out exactly what is going on, financially before making any decisions regarding rates. For that I am sorry.

Division 1

Jess Milne

A general reduction in rates is not really possible without cutting service as costs increase for council as it does with everyone for material, goods etc. but there might be scope in council’s own revenue sourcing and cost efficient operational models to lower future rises. I believe the region needs to attract industry and commercial to subsidise the general ratepayer however that needs to balance the local tolerance of what that industry might be.

Hilary Smerdon

Rates are kept as low as possible but council has to provide a service to residents which has to be funded. In my opinion we have areas that can be improved and will continue to voice my concerns.

Incumbent mayoral candidate Glen Hartwig. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Division 2

Marcel Claassens

Rate rise freeze. Our wages don’t go up every year so why should our rates

Dolly Jensen

It’s a dream we all have but the reality is, if you’re wanting your roads maintained and more infrastructure for the region then your rates can’t go down. It’s like looking for a fee free bank.

Division 3

Charlie Horne

In the real world rates will not decrease. Every effort will be made to keep them in line with CPI or below, maybe a cap is possible.

Shane Warnes

Unfortunately with our rising interest rate and cost of living have made it difficult for a rate reduction but we need to investigate where the money is being spent to ensure the ratepayer is getting the best value for their hard earned dollars.

Division 4

Wayne Boyd

To look at optimising staffing levels and running costs to streamline operations and prioritising essential services.

Mick Curran

Bring back our 10 per cent rate discount. Remove the hidden levies from the general rates component, so that our community can see and monitor the money raised is properly accounted for and spent on specific projects relevant to the levy i.e. environmental levy, economic development levy. Any general rate rise will not then have a compounding effect on those levies currently hidden in general rates i.e. greater rate rise. Place a cap on the level of rate rises during the next term of council.

Bruce Devereaux

Unfortunately, unless the state kicks in with annual allocations to regions based on population, land area and the length of their road networks, this is unlikely to ever be anything but an unattainable election promise … Meanwhile, communities expect more and more from their councils for the high rates they fork out of their limited expendable income. It’s a balancing act where the ringmaster is demanding more spinning crockery to justify the increased cost of entry to his circus while the bloke spinning plates is desperately trying to keep them all from crashing to the ground.

Rae Gate

Well we would all love that but the reality is the cost of living is not coming down, prices are increasing. Council when considering the budget needs to keep the costs minimal for residents – no huge increases.

Michael Torrens

The cost of living has certainly hurt everyone, and rate bills don’t help. I believe the hurt is lessened if council spends its money wisely and did the basics well.

Division 5

Kris Kahler

Very hard to comment on as I have not seen the budget. I feel once elected I will look at the budget like any other project and there are always ways for continuance improvement. It’s the way we have always done it does not cut it.

Allona Lahn

Having some of the highest rates in Queensland and possibly Australia it is imperative that people see value for money, which is currently not happening in the Gympie region. I will advocate for a rate freeze, discount for early payments, transparency and a clear breakdown of why and where our rates are spent.

Dan Stewart

To be honest, if we are going to address the other issues it will not be possible to reduce rates. Council struggles to make an operating surplus. Even as efficiencies are found, at best Council can limit increases to inflation.

Mayoral candidate Naomi Wilson. Picture: Christine Schindler

Division 6

Dave Golding

Reducing rates is a big ask without affecting services, But by implementing better policies and procedures (less red tape) to streamline the workplace for more productivity to keep rate rises on hold.

Warren McEwan

We all know the cost of living has skyrocketed. Food, fuel and every other aspect of life has increased, and this alone makes it very hard to see rates being able to decrease. But that said – a cap for two years would at least save any nasty surprises from a rates perspective while the overall economy settles into a new normal.

Brian Thomas

Council rates can only be reduced by cutting waste and more efficient system of running their core businesses. Council needs to lose their grand designs, at least while there is a cost-of-living crisis. Those that claim they can freeze rates for two years are just not dealing with reality. With inflation still a curse to living standard, a freeze to rates means a cut service and a cut to staff numbers these staff have families to provide for and household responsibilities.

Division 7

Sean Connelly

The cost of living is the number one concern impacting upon families … A moratorium on rate costs increases or rate freeze is something I would see obviously helping families. I think making our region a better place to live work and play could also offset rising costs of living. You see regions with council-maintained water parks and free or low-cost entertainment, and these types of initiatives can help keep families local and negate the need for travel to events in other council catchment areas.

Tim Jerome

Certainly, with the cost of living skyrocketing come budget time I will be voting for rates to come down with the hardships we are facing. Cheaper rates means more money in people’s pockets which hopefully will spill over to cheaper rent for people who are paying rent. I personally would like to see the state government stepping in to make this happen if councils go the path of cheaper rates.

Warren Polley

Welcome to Inflation. Any rate rise less than CPI results in a cut to services; a cut to (infrastructure) or (roads) … or a cut to mowing or a cut to library/or pool services etc. Our aim is to search for continual improvements in efficiency of delivery which we are taking big strides in with the rollout of the new IT and asset management systems.

Donna Reardon

No response received by time of publication.

Division 8

Ruth Golden

This is tricky as council requires more money to attend to residents needs not less. Council should be looking for other income streams and lobbying state and federal governments to increase funding.

Gordon Maudsley

I’m not going to start by delivering empty promised just to win a vote. If elected, I will be going into an organisation that is still recovering from a financial crises … Promising improvements to the region, and then promising rate reductions in the same sentence, is an empty promise – and I don’t work like that.

Council transparency

Mayoral

Glen Hartwig

This is the first term that council meetings and workshops were livestreamed so that everyone can see what is said and discussed. Our financial reporting has been honest, not just about misleading the auditor and getting a gold star.

Mark McDonald

I will prioritise enhancing council transparency by implementing measures such as regular public forums, accessible online platforms for budgetary and decision-making processes, and fostering a culture of accountability and open communication within the council, ensuring that residents are informed and engaged in the governance of our community.

Naomi Wilson

The word has been completely overused this term, yet there seems to be nothing transparent about the leadership of this council. The words will sound empty but I can promise you that I will actually keep you informed and aware of all that I am able to regarding Council matters.

Division 1

Jess Milne

I believe transparency has diminished during this term with the only improvement being recording of council meetings (when it works) but I feel this has also had a negative impact of the formality of meetings as a it appears soapboxing occurs for “those watching at home”. Honest communication on multiple platforms is the only way to increase transparency plus improvement to information systems such as the website, internal and customer interface IT and other media.

Hilary Smerdon

I’m not sure what other ways we can improve transparency. Compared to previous years, I think we have opened new communication lines resulting in improved transparency. There will always be discussions that can’t be held in open council.

Division 2

Marcel Claassens

I will be proposing an independent audit to show transparency and hopefully balanced books

Dolly Jensen

We live stream our meetings and workshops now and the agendas and minutes are all available on the council website.

Division 3

Charlie Horne

Council works for the people and should be transparent. Social media is beginning to play a large part in transparency.

Shane Warnes

The current council is very transparent but we definitely need to improve our communication between ratepayers and councillors, councillor and council, and vice versa. After all the councillors main role is to listen to the ratepayer and bring those suggestions and concerns to council.

Division 4

Wayne Boyd

Seeking public input to council issues. Promotion of independent audits and oversight mechanisms.

Mick Curran

Transparency is about being honest and accountable as both an individual and as an organisation. It includes having a sound communication network between Council and the community. This transparency has been eroded under the current council.

Bruce Devereaux

We now record and keep available for public use our Ordinary Meetings and Workshops. That’s far more ‘transparent’ than previous Councils. However I agree it’s not enough … I would also like to see communications from council explaining why things are being done a certain way or at a particular time so everyone is informed and there’s less opportunity for angst and gossip to fill local conversations.

Rae Gate

I advocate for an open and transparent council that communicates and engages, improving the relationship between local government and our community. “Getting information out to the community quicker”.

Michael Torrens

I think council if you search online is transparent, I think the changes to policy however aren’t conveyed by the councillors enough. After all they are the link to the community.

Mayoral candidate Mark McDonald.

Division 5

Kris Kahler

Definitely, once elected I will actually make myself available to people in my division and all of Gympie. I will provide them with the assistance they require to review any publicly available documents they wish to see. I will also give them the honest truth, not what I think they need to hear.

Allona Lahn

The current code of conduct and culture of councillors being fearful of being reprimanded because of sharing information with the public, has to stop. Transparency, ethics and honesty is key to having a productive, positive, and energetic council team, which then flows into the community boosting moral and trust, allowing the region to grow and flourish.

Dan Stewart

I have consistently sought to be open about council and posted to Facebook reports of every council meeting. Council needs to be open about what it does unless there is good reason otherwise. We also need a better website to make it easier to access the large amount of information, this is in process.

Division 6

Dave Golding

Continue live stream of meetings, and also publicise proposals that are brought before council and notify any ratepayers that may be affected by such proposals so they can express their concerns.

Warren McEwan

Transparency should be an automatic setting when dealing with public funds and decisions made on behalf of the community at all levels of government. The monthly Wednesday council meetings are open to the public and livestreamed. By attending or viewing the public are in the perfect position to pressure council on issues that concern them but councillors need to be messengers to the community and not operate remotely.

Brian Thomas

Ratepayers should be clearly seeing what takes place in all areas of council business and decisions. The workshops and information days need to be looked at more closely and compared with how business is dealt within a general meeting.

Division 7

Sean Connelly

This is an area I could see some improvement around. A procession of CEOs has not aided stability and a quick glance at local media and community groups indicates an extremely high turnover within council ranks. The ongoing closure of the Civic Centre is a great example of transparency; I do not believe that council staff or councillors have misled the public and would never imply this, but in my experience, people are more forgiving or understanding, especially in times of natural disasters when you over-communicate.

Tim Jerome

No response was received to this question.

Warren Polley

Welcome to GRIT. The new IT system. We have a three year rollout plan which will see residents being able to access more information online. Currently, with the publishing of reports and access to live streaming, the residents have as much access to information as Councillors do.

Donna Reardon

No response received by time of publication.

Division 8

Ruth Golden

Transparency and understanding of Council procedures can both be improved. Meetings going into committee for most of its business does not ring true for transparency. Confidentiality of some items should always be respected as well.

Gordon Maudsley

Not being contactable, not being accessible, not being transparent has been the catch cry I have heard from day one from the electorate. I started my candidate campaign, as I intend to finish when my time as elected Councillor comes to an end … I

want to be held accountable as the elected Councillor who was transparent.

Flooding solutions

Mayoral

Glen Hartwig

As chair of the local disaster management group we have added a representative from the disability sector, refined our disaster management plans and improved the disaster dashboard with opt in alerts to provide accurate information during an event. The key to success in any disaster is ensuring our council and the community supports one another.

Mark McDonald

We need to explore all avenues for flood mitigation by prioritising expedient application for state and federal grant funding and implementing repairs and upgrades to damaged facilities. I will be meeting with the leaders of both political parties to begin planning for the third bridge across the Mary, as this not only acts as a permanent commute, but also saves lives through allowing transfer to the hospital during flooding.

Naomi Wilson

The reality is that we live with a river that floods, without spending possibly billions to stop it, we will continue to live with a river that floods. (In) 2022 we needed a council that was switched on enough to see what was coming and work with the amazing community we have here to minimise the damage, as we have done in the past.

Division 1

Jess Milne

There’s no escaping the flooding of Gympie city so the way forward is strategic planning, community education and engagement along with flood resilient infrastructure and mitigation measures where possible. (Across the) wider region, there needs to be continued empowerment of communities to understanding risk, relevant roles and responsibilities plus communication systems in times of disaster and support for recovery.

Hilary Smerdon

This a big problem for council, some problems should have been addressed years ago but now due to exorbitant costs can’t be solved. All council can do is manage development with flooding in mind.

Division 2

Marcel Claassens

Flood solutions should be run past the residents effected utilising their understanding of the land.

Dolly Jensen

Gympie floods. That’s a reality. If you buy in a flood zone then the chances of you losing all your worldly goods are high. It’s not likely that Mary Street will ever move. This is investigated every time it floods. At the end of the day, Council doesn’t own all the shops and we can’t make the owners move. The only thing we can do is teach resilience and recovery.

Division 3

Charlie Horne

I feel there is no solution to flooding but more information and local knowledge can be used to ease the burden of the rising river. There is more area than Mary Street that is impacted by floodwaters.

Shane Warnes

Flooding is a natural disaster that we have no control over, although we need to work on lessening the impact this has on the community. This will need to be discussed with the community to have valued opinions on what needs to be changed and if upgrades are needed.

Division 4

Wayne Boyd

Buy back and Utilising flood areas for other activities. Looking at building codes to minimise flood risk

Mick Curran

Areas of Gympie will always be impacted by flooding … Council must have trained experienced staff and facilities to cope when impacted by such events … It has now been two years since the last event and we are still waiting for many of our roads to be repaired, our community infrastructure to be reopened and betterment projects to start let alone be completed. Our neighbouring council, Fraser Coast, who were equally impacted by the event were back to “business as usual” twelve months ago with all works completed. Why aren’t we?

Bruce Devereaux

Stormwater maintenance is ongoing under this council, with a desire being expressed very early we’d like to be proactive instead of reactive when it comes to our underground infrastructure. I’ve been very pleased with the State government buying up properties where locals are happy to remove themselves from flood zones. I also know council is working with a number of organisations and departments on updating its disaster management … I think solutions need to come from higher levels of government, because anything we do in our region affects those downstream.

Rae Gate

Flood Risk Management Study and Plan is being done by Council and it is open for comment now, there are also planned drop in sessions at the libraries across the region. I believe that with comments from the community and council actively listening we can have practical solutions to remedy some of the issues.

Michael Torrens

Flooding can have a huge impact on our region. I think especially in Mary St building owners need to follow Council guidelines more thoroughly with the materials they are lining their business with.

Division 5

Kris Kahler

We need to explore options for flood impacted properties. If we leave them all constrained land large parts our inner city will be vacant land. Not a good look for our town. I also think we need to explore options for a levee. There is an old idea way to big and expensive. I have a plan that is not a big job.

Allona Lahn

The flooding issues are vast and varied affecting so many locals, I would like to have seen more council support and action on the ground particularly helping those that became homeless during the floods. When buying property and with the influx of newcomers into the region there is a lack of information on the flooding, particularly seasonal creeks, bridges, road blockages, alternative road routes and education on flood preparedness.

Dan Stewart

The best solution for floods is to build above likely flood levels. Flood mapping is being updated to assist people make wise decisions. Council needs to continue to be hard-nosed about where people can build. The bypass will assist connectivity during floods and Council needs to advocate to the state for a high-level crossing of the river.

Gympie voters head to the polls on March 16. (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

Division 6

Dave Golding

Any proposals with regard to flooding solutions would need to be investigated thoroughly with public consultation from an early stage and would require state and federal funding for such projects.

Warren McEwan

Given our topography I believe the sensible decision is to increase the buy backs of private homes – no one should have to live through flooded homes over and over again. Our businesses need to have actionable plans and infrastructure to accommodate the clean ups as the floods are going to continue. We have an opportunity to create beautiful spaces in the wider flood areas that can be used and appreciated for years before they are out of commission for a few short weeks for each flood event.

Brian Thomas

No response was received to this question.

Division 7

Sean Connelly

This one really hits home for me, as I have recently suffered storm and flooding damage at my Southside home; my insurance premiums have doubled twice now in the last two years and I potentially need to make another claim for the hailstorm in December of 2023, however I am worried about the cost of another insurance excess fee and then worried about my next premium increase due to yet another insurance claim. People are now risking everything by not insuring their homes and the topography of Gympie means that we need to investigate solutions, rather than waiting for disasters to occur, then simply cleaning up again.

Tim Jerome

The big problem we have with floods at the moment is we are allowing new subdivisions to be built in natural water ways. This is leading to houses being flooded and suffering damage because of being in a natural water way and number two it is divert flood water to places that did not usually flood.

Warren Polley

Welcome to Gympie. It floods. I predict more flooding cycles. You can’t stop it or avoid it, so, please be prepared.

In the past few years GRC has received (millions) in state funding to bolster the survivability of our infrastructure and there is more to come.

Donna Reardon

No response received by time of publication.

Division 8

Ruth Golden

Climate change will exacerbate flooding events in the future. Council’s flood mapping is already geared towards a climate change variable, and this will continue to be used for future planning. The Mary River is an important ecological system and should be respected and protected.

Gordon Maudsley

Over a century ago, the town of Gympie was built on a flood zone. I can’t turn back time. I can be part of the solution today, going into any flood planning session. Part of my skill set that comes with being in construction for over 30 years is knowing you must work with the environment you have, to mitigate a workable solution using modern day awareness and lived experiences, paired with the technology at hand. It will always be a work in progress.

Originally published as Council election 2024: Roads, rates highest priorities of Gympie voters