Cairns mayor’s social media videos create digital divide within Cairns Regional Council

Cairns Regional Council has refused to reveal how much new social media videos are costing ratepayers with a disappointed councillor calling out the externally produced digital content.

Cairns Regional Council has refused to reveal how much new social media videos are costing ratepayers with a disappointed councillor calling out the externally produced digital content.

A Far North production company was recently engaged to produce two vertical videos for mayor Amy Eden this month which have recently appeared on her personal social platforms.

Mayor Amy Eden has engaged a Far North production company to publish sharp new social media videos for her platforms.

Ms Eden has recently published two new videos but Cairns Regional Council has refused to reveal how they've cost ratepayers.

Despite multiple requests, a council spokesman failed to divulge the content’s cost or why the videos couldn’t have been produced internally by the council’s media team.

“Social media and (the) council’s website are important channels to communicate accurate and factual information about council activities and projects to our community,” the spokesman said.

“With modern technology, videos can be easily and cheaply produced. The videos have become business as usual in this regard.

“The combined audience of the Mayor’s and (the) council’s social media following is over 50,000 people and growing.”

CBD councillor Rob Pyne has called out Ms Eden’s videos for being produced externally and, on occasion, choosing to use social media instead of fronting the media. Picture: Brendan Radke

Division Five councillor Rob Pyne said the videos should have been produced by the council.

“I think that’s wrong,” Mr Pyne said. “I mean, it’s not rocket science how to operate the old iPhone.

“We can do that work in-house. Amy is very good at marketing and PR and I have no problem with the videos being done but we have our own people.

“I’ve got no problem with the mayor having access to internal resources to do that.”

Cairns Mayor Amy Eden speaks at the UDIA Queensland Cairns mayoral address lunch. Picture: Brendan Radke

Ms Eden, who was referred to the Crime and Corruption Commission in relation to a conflict of interest concern earlier this year, has at times been reluctant to face the media.

In June, the mayor sensationally walked out on a press conference after refusing to answer questions regarding the appointment of her campaign advisor as the council’s interim CEO.

But Mr Pyne said the mayor still needed to answer critical questions, including around the city’s disaster preparedness and $472m water security project.

“We need to promote our democratic principles and that’s reflected in the Local Government Act,” Mr Pyne said.

“I think we all need to be challenged on our positions. That way, you’re forced to make sure that your position is rigorous and defensible.

“That said, they’re great videos.”

The Reef House has previously hosted Hollywood celebrities including actors Lee Marvin and Marlon Brando, former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, and Budget Rent-a-Car Australia founder Bob Ansett.

In August, ratepayers forked out $30,000 for Cairns councillors to attend a two-day team building event at an adults-only beachfront resort.

Ms Eden was sworn in as the new Cairns mayor at a public ceremony at the Cairns Performing Arts Centre. Picture: Supplied/Veronica Sagredo

Residents were also forced to foot the bill for the mayor’s $19,000 induction ceremony at the Cairns Performing Arts Centre, whereas previous events had been held at the council’s offices on Spence St.

Prior to being elected, Ms Eden called for greater fiscal responsibility and transparency within the council with the city seeking hundreds of millions of dollars to fund critical infrastructure works, including a $472m water security project.

Originally published as Cairns mayor’s social media videos create digital divide within Cairns Regional Council