Pick mayor on skills, not mates’ endorsements, says candidate Sue Hickey
Voters should look at candidates’ qualifications, not endorsements from their council colleagues, a mayoral candidate says.
Tasmania
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tasmania. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Glenorchy mayor hopefuls line up: Kelly Sims, Bec Thomas and Sue Hickey
- Sue Hickey announces bid to become Glenorchy mayor as others tipped to join race
GLENORCHY’S mayor should be picked on the basis of their leadership abilities, not on endorsements from mates, candidate Sue Hickey says.
Ms Hickey is one of three candidates remaining in the race for the vacancy created by the departure of Kristie Johnston for state parliament.
Alderman Steven King pulled out on Wednesday – and backed Acting Mayor Bec Thomas for the top job.
But Ms Hickey said that was not how things should work.
“This is not a contest of who is supporting who but rather a contest of who is going to be the best person for the job,” she said.
“The role of mayor is a leadership role that demands someone with the right skills and experience to lead the city for the future.
“Given the recent and impending huge deficits, the history of the last huge rate rise, and the rumblings of another, the ratepayers are wanting the council to be more fiscally responsible and sustainable.”
Ms Hickey pointed to her long experience in business, and local and state government as qualifying her for the role.
“I have the experience of working with companies, councils and government with significant financial rigour. I also have a proven track record of getting things done,” she said.
“I believe the residents of Glenorchy want to see more action from this council and less reports and backroom workshops.
“They want a clean, safe and vibrant city of which I have a proven track record of delivering. We want an open and transparent council – with big, bold, brave and accountable governance.”
Nominations opened on Monday for council by-elections in Glenorchy, Kingborough and the West Coast and closed at 6pm on Wednesday. They will be announced at noon on Thursday.
The by-elections are necessary because sitting mayors Kristie Johnston and Dean Winter have been elected to the House of Assembly and the West Coast’s Phil Vickers has resigned.
The Tasmanian Electoral Commission will conduct the by-elections via postal ballot.
Former MP and current Kingborough Councillor Paula Wriedt, Hobart Hideaway Pods founder Clare Glade-Wright and Councillor Gideon Cordover have flagged plans to run in Kingborough.
Ballot papers will be posted out from June 22 and need to be returned by July 20.
Back to the polls as councils seek new mayors
NOMINATIONS open on Monday for council by-elections in Glenorchy, Kingborough and the West Coast.
The by-elections are necessary because sitting mayors Kristie Johnston and Dean Winter have been elected to the House of Assembly and the West Coast’s Phil Vickers has resigned.
The Tasmanian Electoral Commission will conduct the by-elections via postal ballot.
Four candidates have already announced their intention of nominating for the Glenorchy mayoralty: former MP and speaker Sue Hickey, acting mayor Bec Thomas, Alderman Kelly Sims and Alderman Steven King.
Former MP and current Kingborough Councillor Paula Wriedt, Hobart Hideaway Pods founder Clare Glade-Wright and Councillor Gideon Cordover have flagged plans to run in Kingborough.
Nominations open at 9am on Monday and close at 6pm on Wednesday. They will be announced at noon the following day.
Ballot papers will be posted out from June 22 and need to be returned by July 20.
Ratepayers in each council area will be asked to vote for the position of councillor and mayor.
A recount will be held for a vacancy on the Launceston City Council after the election of Councillor Janie Finlay to the House of Assembly.
Unsuccessful candidates who stood at the 2018 election have until noon on Monday to nominated and a result is expected soon after.
And a vacancy on the Tasman Council caused by the resignation of councillor Rhona Tomlinson will also be determined on Monday.
Elections are due for the state’s 29 councils in October next year.
Council’s budget reveals rate rise and capital works
THE best growth in more than 60 years saw Clarence outpace the other greater Hobart councils for number of development applications this financial year, latest statistics show.
The Clarence City Council will hold a special meeting on Monday night to discuss its budget estimates for the 2021-2022 financial year, with a recommendation for a general rate increase on average of 3.77 per cent.
The council did not increase its rates last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In the year to March, Clarence had 1056 development applications lodged compared to 925 in Hobart 925, 815 in Kingborough and 530 in Glenorchy.
All Tasmanian councils will consider their budget estimates for the next financial year over the coming weeks.
Clarence Mayor Doug Chipman said the municipality was experiencing growth it had not seen since the 1950s.
“Development application growth in the year to March 2021 outstripped all the other local government areas in greater Hobart,” he said.
“Given this growth in building, population and use of our parks, playgrounds and track infrastructure, it is vital that we plan for the future and ensure that appropriate services are in place.
“As foreshadowed in last year’s budget communication, council was faced with a challenging budget environment for the coming financial year. Programs, activities and services were highly scrutinised and opportunities for any savings were factored into the budget to ease pressure on rate payers.
“To think that we could deliver increased levels of service and amenities as an organisation while still only seeing a relative rate increase of 1.89 per cent per year over the last two years is a credit to sound financial management principles employed over a long period of time, the same principles which will serve us well in the decades to come.”
The council’s second largest capital works program ever worth $21.4 million is also proposed as part of the budget estimates.
It would include $5.6 million for Bellerive stormwater upgrades, $2.7 million on road resealing, $1.4 million for a new facility for after school care in Alma St, Bellerive and $85,000 for refurbishment of the Clarence Mountain Bike Park track.
Meanwhile, the Launceston City Council adopted a financial report on Thursday for the period ending March 31, which shows an underlying deficit of $3.544 million.
However, $2.263 million of this relates to delay in receiving a financial assistance grant from the federal government, which is now expected this month.
Titmus’ heartwarming moment meeting young fans in Launnie
Ariarne Titmus broke down in tears, overcome with emotion after meeting one young fan in Launceston. Here’s why.
Tassie DJ vying for world title after national championship win
After defending his national title, Tassie DJ Max Best will again battle it out at the world championships – and he believes this time he can go all the way.