Dean Winter plans to wind back rates rises and fix toilets

ONE of Dean Winter’s first acts as Kingborough Mayor will be to try to scrap the council’s long-term financial plan, which he says will impose another 15 per cent rate increase on residents.

New Kingborough Council Mayor Dean Winter at Blackmans Bay. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

ONE of Dean Winter’s first acts as Kingborough Mayor will be to try to scrap the council’s long-term financial plan, which he says will impose another 15 per cent rate increase on residents.

Cr Winter romped home with 61 per cent of the vote after preferences, with Greens councillor Richard Atkinson finishing on 38 per cent.

Cr Winter said his top priorities will be reducing rates, upgrading public toilets and fixing the contaminated section of Blackmans Bay Beach.

“The first item of business I have raised with the general manager was Blackmans Bay Beach pollution. The manager knows it’s my number one priority at the moment and I have asked for the council to receive a full briefing on the issue as soon as possible,” he said.

Cr Winter said he wanted to work with his council colleagues to get rid of the long-term financial plan.

“I think it is clear that past rate rises have been a significant issue for our community,” he said.

“Rate increases at or around long-term CPI should be the standard rate increase in any municipality.

“It just means rates go up at the same rate as the rest of the family budget.”

Cr Winter has described the state of public amenities in the community as “atrocious” and vowed to fix the issues.

“In the short term, I’ve asked for options to bring Kingston Beach toilets up to a usable standard over summer, while the new toilets are being constructed,” he said.

“This is our most loved beach and it must meet community expectations.”

Cr Winter campaigned with Jo Westwood who won 56 per cent of the vote after preferences in the deputy mayor race with current former deputy mayor Paula Wriedt finishing with 43 per cent.

Ms Westwood said she picked up on a desire for change at Kingborough Council, which had been reflected in the result.

“Lots of people have told me they voted for the very first time in a local government election,” she said.

“Local government deals with issues that affect the place where we live. It’s the basic issues that impact on our daily lives that people have told me are important to them.

“Things like public toilets, footpaths, playgrounds, transport issues and especially rates.”