Rowan Cooke wins King Island Council by-election after resignation of Duncan McFie
A self-confessed Beastie Boys fan, King Island’s newest councillor says he will fight to improve business and tourism within his community. What he had to say >>
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Tasmania’s newest councillor wants to see his community of King Island have a more “vibrant tourism industry”.
Rowan Cooke won the recent King Island Council by-election that was triggered following the resignation of Duncan McFie in August.
Mr McFie — who served as the island’s mayor between 2014 and 2018 — has pleaded not guilty to charges of possessing and producing child exploitation material, with the matter to be heard in the Supreme Court in Burnie in November.
Following his election win on Friday, Mr Cooke told the Sunday Tasmanian that people had been stopping him on the street to congratulate him.
“I don’t think it’s fully set in yet,” he said.
“But I’m really grateful and happy that everyone wanted me to have a go at the council position.”
The 35-year-old worked as a cheesemaker on the island before spending a few years in Queensland.
“I wanted to come back home and set roots up on King Island,” Mr Cooke said.
“The more I kind of thought about it, I thought more about business on King Island and the economy.
“Things need to be changed on King Island to ensure longevity. Based on that, plus a few friends nudging me, I thought I’d run for council.”
Major employers on the island have been facing challenges over the last few months.
King Island Dairy owner Saputo plans to close its factory on the island next year, while the Dolphin Tungsten Mine has suspended share trading on the Australian stock market.
However, Mr Cooke said he was hopeful that both facilities would survive, citing Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s commitment to keep the dairy factory open as an example.
“I do think the government’s economic response team is the right measure in regard to helping King Island Dairy prevail.
“As far as the mine goes, I haven’t really got any clear sort of analysis on that – I’m still catching up on that myself – but I think it can be rescued.
“But for now, it’s just a process of waiting and seeing how things pan out.”
Business and tourism were Mr Cooke’s two main focuses.
“I think we’ve got a really good golfing industry,” he said.
“But I think it’d be good to see King Island not only trying to salvage the dairy factory but also reinvent itself so we can have a bit more of a vibrant tourism industry as well so they can coexist.”
On Mr Cooke’s personal Facebook page, his bio says he is “fighting for King Island’s right to party” – referencing one of the Beastie Boys biggest hits.
“I’m just a real music nerd. I just thought it was a fun idea,” he said.
“I like that idea; fighting for your right to party. I just think it’s a really good philosophy.”
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