Other Local Council contests in Qld
Being a lifelong resident of Brisbane, I feel best qualified to give some comment on the results in that city. While I know less of other areas, it is still worth looking to lessons from some of them.
One result I was surprised at, even from as far away as Brisbane, was the defeat of long-standing Labor Mayor of Townsville Tony Mooney. Townsville was merged with its ‘twin city’ Thuringowa, and Townsville was the bigger half, so I was surprised when Cr Mooney not only fell short, but was well beaten – 55 per cent to 35 per cent – by Les Tyrell, who had served as Mayor of Thuringowa for about as long. The Greens’ Mayoral candidate Jenny Stirling has polled around seven and a half per cent.
The contest for the other twelve seats on the new Townsville Council shows the ludicrously unfair nature of a first past the post system in a multi-member electorate. Despite their best performing candidate getting a vote from less than six per cent of voters, the likely result is that ‘Team Tyrell’ will win all twelve seats on Council, while ‘Team Mooney’ (mostly Labor endorsed candidates) look like coming up with zero. Current Townsville Deputy Mayor, Jenny Hill, is the closest amongst Labor’s candidates to have a chance of winning a seat, but even though the count is still only at 10 per cent at time of writing, the trend looks very clear and her chances look slim. The seriously unbalanced result shows the merits of a proportional representation system of voting.
The only Indigenous candidate amongst the field of 49 candidates, Sam Reuben, will not be successful. Despite a sizable population of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Townsville has never had an Indigenous person elected to its Council.
In other councils, one significant feature, at least in some areas, appear to be the success of mayoral candidates who ran on a platform of opposing (over)development. Ron Clarke’s strong showing – he should still be the favourite to win – on the Gold Coast is one example of this. Melva Hobson’s win in Redlands Shire over former Bjelke-Petersen Minister (and local state member) Paul Clauson is another. The big win – 70 per cent to 30 per cent – by former Noosa Mayor, Bob Abbott, for the new Sunshine Coast Council,
over former Mayor of Maroochy Shire, Joe Natoli, is another case where the candidate more opposed to overdevelopment had a strong win.
Even more significant is Val Schier’s win in Cairns over long-serving pro-development Mayor Kevin Byrne. It seems the vote against Kevin Byrne in the areas formerly covered by the Douglas Shire – such as the Daintree and Port Douglas – which are most at risk of overdevelopment, was pivotal to this result.
However, it is probably over-stating things to say there is a big trend away from developer supported candidates. There are some other results which signal more of a business as usual approach in that regard.
One result I was pleased to see came in the Mayoral contest in the greatly expanded Toowoomba Regional Council. About a year ago, this area was recently subjected to a controversial local referendum on water recycling, which I was disappointed to see was defeated. One of the most public opponents of water recycling, Snow Manners, a Councillor on the old Toowoomba Council, ran for mayor this time, but was easily defeated by Peter Taylor, formerly Mayor of Jondaryan Shire.
My final comment on Brisbane is to note that one of the long-term consequences of the big win by Campbell Newman’s team is that they now have the buffer of six very safe seats – McDowall, Chandler, Walter Taylor, Macgregor, Hamilton and Pullenvale – with a margin of over 20 per cent, plus another five with a margin of more than 10 per cent. In contrast, Labor now have very few safe seats, with only one – Morningside – clearly above a 10 per cent margin. For more reflections on the Brisbane result, there is a series of posts at Public Polity, a blog by Sam Clifford, who was the Greens’ candidate for the northside ward of Marchant.
25 Comments, Comment or Ping
Sam Clifford
Thanks for the link.
Mar 17th, 2008
wmmbb
I am wondering what your views are Andrew ( and those of others) on efficiency dividend on council amalgamations, and the question of long term “systematic corruption” as has been judged to having infected Wollongong City Council, and potentially other councils throughout the country. In our case, elections of counceillors have been suspended for over three years.The influence of property developers is not unknown in the affairs of other local governments.
Mar 18th, 2008
Lorikeet
wmmbb:
Systematic corruption is present in all local, state and federal governments.
You will also find it in the education system, sporting groups, churches and any other place where human beings are to be found.
I think the “efficiency dividend” is little more than an excuse to reduce representation. I bet no “dividend” comes to the constituents in the form of reduced council rates.
In Queensland, we still have no house of review in the State parliament, and now we have only MEGA amalgamated councils which 73% of the people said they didn’t want.
They only asked us after the decision had already been made. How conniving is that?
Mar 18th, 2008
phillip bartlett
I agree that Local Govt is an imperfect system in its current form especially when considerd in the context of the general over-government of Australia and the relationship betwee State and Local. Its frame of reference is not appropriate to stop local issues predominating – but then again it is not (yet) regional Govt. Having said this, I have yet to see real figures that show an economic benefi in the process of amalgamation. the issue is one really of what sort of Governmental system is needed in Aust as a whole.
Mar 19th, 2008
Tony
Lorikeet,
And dont forget the S6 and S7 Poison (Sodium Flouride, a major ingredient in Rat Posion) being pumped in our water supplies on top of recycled sewerage. Anna Bligh compared that with the introduction of seat belts in parliament on the 13th March.
Once again no referendum,and all ahead full for the Captain.
(who was promoted by Peter Beattie, Now ending up with a perk job at tax payers expense in the US)
Lets hope people wake up next time
Tony
Mar 19th, 2008
Lorikeet
Tony:
I thought rat poison contained an anti-coagulant (Warfarin) which is generally used as a blood thinning agent for people at risk of clots. Large doses make rats bleed to death internally.
I disagree with fluoride being added to the water supply, but talk with any dentist, and he will tell you plenty of horror stories of adults neglecting little children’s teeth – and those are the kids he gets to see!
I gave my 2 older children fluoride in their early years. The recommended dose was reduced by the time I had number 3.
At the ages of 32 and 33, my older kids have no fillings at all. The youngest has a couple in his rear molars.
People who fluoridate water give no thought at all to the road workers, tradespeople and others who work in the hot sun every day. They need to consume many litres of “fluoride” to maintain hydration. I foresee compensation claims coming in the future.
Societal discipline is the problem again (very negligent parents).
They should give a SMALL measured dose of fluoride to the children when they are little, feed them decent food, take them to the dentist regularly, and make sure their teeth are properly cleaned (by adults) twice a day.
But are they going to do it? Sorry, but the answer is probably “No.”
According to a friend of mine who is an eminent scientist, recycled sewerage will not do you any harm. They’ve been drinking it for years in other countries. His word is good enough for me, and the idea certainly beats dying of thirst.
Mar 20th, 2008
muzzmonster
We all drink recycled sewerage. It’s just been recycled through evaopration and rainwater. The water in our dams has fecal matter from birds and other animals.
Many towns in the downstream Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers drink partially treated sewerage that has been drunk and flushed by upstream towns. They’ve been doing it for years without harmful effects. It is of course treated before they drink it, but to the same level as the water we drink now.
Mar 20th, 2008
Tony
Lorikeet
No western world has proposed using recycled sewerage at the level that this Government is proposing. The US, Singapore and UK may use a tiny level of recycled sewerage in the vicinity of 1-4 percent not the 30 or more percent this government is proposing. Re: Rat Poison. Warfarin was not introduced as a rat poison until well into the 1950’s where as Fluoride has been around for many years and is still listed in some patents as well as being an effective pesticide.
Muzzmonster:
If you have no problem with drinking recycled sewerage including waste water from hospitals and Abattoirs … Then Bon Appetite.
Just keep it out of the Brisbane water. … Better Water management and more dams might be more sensible.
Tony
Mar 22nd, 2008
muzzmonster
Does that mean I should pay far, far less in taxes than you, Tony, given the amount of money these dams cost?
While I don’t object ot paying my fair share, I sometimes get frustrated about paying taxes for services that damage our environment, economy and society – especially when I either don’t or would rather not use them if I had the choice.
Mar 22nd, 2008
Lorikeet
Tony:
Yes, more dams would be sensible.
With more and more people arriving from interstate and overseas, we need more water storage facilities.
I used to feel the same way as you do about recycled sewerage, but I trust in what my scientist friend tells me. He is extremely health conscious and well-educated in these matters.
I feel certain we are in an interglacial period. Everything on the planet will die eventually, so I think we should use every available method and resource to increase the water supply.
Muzz:
The 3 principle requirements for human life are water, food and sex, in that order.
If you don’t want to use the water, can I have your share? Surely a waterless existence is a contraction in terms.
Without sufficient water, there will be no environment, economy or society to concern ourselves with.
Mar 23rd, 2008
Lorikeet
Whoops! I meant “a contradiction in terms”.
Mar 23rd, 2008
muzzmonster
I’m not saying I won’t use any water. What I’m saying is that recycling (which is a bit of a misnomer) produces the same quality drinking water for far less price than building a new dam.
As a taxpayer, I think I should have some say in where my money is spent. There are other good environmental and logical reasons why the Traveston Dam in particular is a bad idea, but Andrew has addressed these issues in other posts.
Mar 24th, 2008
Tony
Muzzmoster:
The Qld Government has never indicated that recycled or desalination plants are the cheaper alternative. Dams are in most incidents the cheapest long term solution.
Recycled water and desalination plants will not solve the water storage problem caused by the Goss Government and Kevin Rudd’s decision to stop the wolfdene dam project.
(He signed off the extreme left and now discredited greenies view of the day).
(The land had previously been paid for by the taxpayers). This decision alone is the major reason for water shortage in in SE QLD as it removed the 2nd deepwater dam in the region. The global greens and their UN (Corporate sponsored, and unelected Bosses) always lead to solutions which affect us all in the way of taxation so I don’t see how you could come to the soloution that these monsters would in anyway save you tax.
I think you should read any of the books by Graham Strachan on the globalization of Australia and this might start to inform you of the lies being told to us.
Tony
Mar 27th, 2008
Tony
Lorikeet;
Dont listen to small minded people on this site and always stand by your principles.
There is nothing wrong with calling a spade a spade.
Get you act together Coral I had a lot of respect for you.
Tony
Mar 27th, 2008
Lorikeet
Tony:
Yes, I am in favour of the Traveston Dam as well. If they had built the Wolfene Dam, perhaps we would not have to concern ourselves now about HIV, various forms of hepatitis and numerous other deadly diseases potentially getting into the water supply.
Mar 28th, 2008
Lorikeet
Tony:
I don’t know what the cost of recycling sewerage is, but I believe desalination can be a very expensive practice, also depending on where the plants are set up in relation to the cities.
This week, someone on the television news said that establishing a water grid cannot fully resolve the problem either.
If it reaches a point where no rain falls over a significant period of time, household water tanks and dams will become redundant.
I think the government needs to set up for EVERY METHOD of water storage, reuse and conservation, to have all of its bases covered.
To keep everyone happy, perhaps recycled sewerage could be connected up to toilets only, but the cost would be untenable.
It will take 5 years to build the Traveston Dam. Other solutions need to be used in the interim.
I think it would be unwise to increase the household target above 140 litres per person, unless all of the dams are overflowing.
I must try to get some of Graham Strachan’s books from the library.
Mar 29th, 2008
muzzmonster
Lorikeet – HIV is not transmissable in water. As to the others, I’m not sure, but all of our water goes through numerous puifying filters before it gets anywhere near our taps/
Mar 30th, 2008
Lorikeet
Muzz:
Experts used to say that HIV could not be spread through saliva either – which proved to be wrong.
Mar 31st, 2008
muzzmonster
I’d like to know who those experts are who said that HIV ould not be spread through saliva either. I have never heard of anyone in the world having been infected by HIV by drinking water. I’m sure it would have made the news.
But this is beside the point; re-using water is far cheaper than building a new dam. Simply compare the size, impact and price of a dam to that of a few water capture and treatment plants.
Mar 31st, 2008
Lorikeet
Some years ago, Sydney had a mass outbreak of giardia lamblia after it got into the water supply. This is a notifiable disease.
When my youngest son was a baby, my husband, 19-year-old son and I had the same disease here in Brisbane, but it didn’t make the news. The disease was confirmed by laboratory testing.
The baby didn’t get it because all of his drinks were made from boiled water.
The 2 men had a fierce competition for the bucket and toilet, while I decided my body could deal with it, without entering the competition.
We were so sick it took 3 of us to wash, hang and fold a single load of towels.
Doctors probably don’t absolutely know all of the transmission possibilities for ANY disease. I still think some forms of cancer are contagious.
As for dams, I think providing sufficient water storage facilities is essential to our peace of mind, as much as anything.
Apr 3rd, 2008
Lorikeet
Muzz:
In the days of “The Grim Reaper” advertising on TV, the idea that HIV could not be spread through saliva was a commonly held belief in the medical profession.
In those days, the modes of transmission were considered to be faeces, semen and blood.
Apr 3rd, 2008
muzzmonster
I’m not sure what your point is about water-borne diseases, Lorikeet (and saliva transmission for HIV is a vast difference to it surviving in normal water).
The point is that these diseases will surely be there whether or not the water comes recycled from a waste treatment plant or from a dam where people swim, animals live, eat, defeacate and die.
Apr 3rd, 2008
Lorikeet
Muzz:
The concentration of disease-causing organisms in sewerage would far outweigh anything found in a dam.
I don’t think people would swim among vast quantities of used tampons and condoms, faeces, urine, vomit, blood, disposable nappies and toilet paper, do you?
I have recently read complaints by Council about the sewerage system backing up more than it used to.
This is probably because they told us all to flush less, increasing the concentration of both solids and communicable nasties – not to mention the cost to both Council and householders of unblocking pipes.
Apr 4th, 2008
muzzmonster
Lorikeet. If the water is filtered to a certain purity, it doesn’t matter how dirty it was first.
And I worked for Brisbane Water a year ago. The blokes told me that the increased blockages were a result of the drought. The ground died out, cracking the pipes and tree roots – searching for water – got into them more.
Apr 4th, 2008