Page 17 - BOL May20 Edition

MAYOR PLEDGES NEW ERA In his opening address to Council on Friday 29th May, newly elected Moreton Bay Region

FOR MORETON BAY Mayor, Peter Flannery declared that the first chapter of the new Council would be written
with a “a new tradition of transparency” and “a new tradition of accountability”.

Mayor Flannery reminded Councillors that the way to winning the unique qualities of many of our distant communities
trust was by acting with integrity in everything that they do and across the Moreton Bay Region.
began the Council term by moving a motion for Councillors to 7. Enacting the Regional Growth Management Strategy, to
reject a recommended 2% pay rise this year. “It’s time to show strategically sequence development at a pace our region
leadership and solidarity”, said Mayor Flannery. can cope with.
8. Take tourism growth to the next level with private sector
“There are plenty of locals who don’t have the luxury of a job partnerships to unlock a new wave of tourism infrastructure
right now, let alone the luxury of a pay rise,” he said. investment.
9. Continue advocacy work for the revised koala mapping and
Mayor Flannery stated that it was important to maintain prudent implement an environmental land buyback program.
fiscal management, but that Council had a responsibility to 10. Complete the important internal work of implementing
act decisively, effectively and immediately to get through the all the recommendation of the Council Reform Review to
current crisis. ensure Moreton Bay Regional Council is a modern, outcome
focused workplace.
“We meet in extraordinary times, I’m sorry we can’t all be together
in one chamber as we write this new chapter in the Moreton Bay Mayor Flannery said, “I would like to thank the hard-working
history, but getting on with the job and doing whatever it takes staff at Council, who have continued to work while we waited
is more important than any convention or procedure right now. for the election results to be declared, and that took some time.
“All of our staff are essential workers, they’re still collecting
“Most of you know that I have a military background, and in the our bins, still building roads, still answering the phones, still
military, there is a saying: Improvise, Adapt, Overcome. We’ve maintaining Council buildings and parks. In fact, just last week
seen businesses improvise, we’ve seen families overcome, staff were conducting controlled burns to protect against
now it’s the responsibility of the Moreton Bay Regional Council potential fire risks. They have improvised, adapted and overcome
to help our region overcome a pandemic and overcome the the logistical challenges of social distancing to continue their
economic challenges ahead. service to our community.

“These are extraordinary times, so it’s incumbent on us to “There are dark days ahead, but there will also be opportunities,
implement plans to grow the local economy and create local so it’s the jobs of the new council to work together in shaping
jobs into the future,” he said. a strong agenda of new initiatives and policies that will see our
region bounce back from the worst effects of this pandemic.
“And I want to be clear with both Council and the community
that when I use the word ‘future’, I don’t mean the next four years, “That work starts today.
of a council term. I’m interested in the future of generations to
come, kids like my daughter who will grow up either enjoying “We have an enormous task ahead of us as a council and a region,
the communities we create or the consequences of our poor but we have all the tools we need to succeed in our frontline and
planning. At the end of the day, I’m just a dad who wants his kids administration officers at Council.
to have the best future possible.
Newly elected Deputy Mayor, Cr Denise Sims (Div 7), in her
“As a leader I pride myself on integrity, honesty and teamwork. I address to Councillors said that “Our new Council team
have every confidence that this new council team will be united represents an opportunity for community insight, fresh ideas
in their resolve to drive big, bold outcomes. and a new energy for 2020 and beyond. I thank the electors of
the Moreton Bay Region for placing their trust in us, it is now our
“I ask you to talk to your communities, to find out what they’re responsibility to live up to that trust.”
thinking and bring back their bold economic recovery ideas to
this chamber. “You are here as a genuine representative of the whole
community, that is a great honour.
Mayor Flannerys’ 10 point priority plan
“Sometimes the decisions you will make on Council, will be
1. Reject the 2% pay increase recommended for elected tough. And that is why you have been elected, because your
members. community believes in you, above all others. They believe you
2. Immediately Activate Moreton Recovery Group. have the skills and ability to represent them to your fullest, and I
3. Start work on a second COVID-19 Stimulus Package. am certain that you will.”
4. Enact a new Economic Development Strategy.
5. Establish the Beneficial Enterprise to guide the use of “As a group our, laser focus every day must be on getting local
Council land at The Mill site. families through the months ahead and making sure Council’s
6. Rework Councils’ Planning Scheme to meet the expectations efforts reflect local expectations.”
of locals by introducing neighbourhood plans tailored to
May 2020 www.bestoflocal.com.au 17