WHAT MATTERS
with Mark Edwards
With the local government election over it is clear that the newly elected Mayor, Jos Mitchell, had failed to bring the community on her “leading change” message.
So much so that her team member Cr. Berridge lost the seat of Capalaba which is now in the hands of the very capable Jason Colley.
It would appear that Mayor Mitchell will need to work with and not dictate to those Councillors whom she opposed prior to the election as they will hold the balance of power.
Importantly she won’t be able to decide who will be the deputy Mayor without Councillors’ majority support.
Mayor Mitchell now has the opportunity to learn from within Council and understand that statements made such as the highest rates in south east Queensland are simply not true and her leading change could perhaps start with herself.
However, Mayor Mitchell is not the only one who should reassess their views and our State MP Kim Richards is evidencing her slip in community support.
Her recent press releases regarding Weinam Creek car park contain questionable statements and omit the fact that the State Government has been involved with this development and that the State Government (Economic Development Queensland) are the key player in determining what is and isn’t approved for the site.
With Labor haemorrhaging votes at recent State by-elections and the ineffective representation of many of their MP’s, it is likely that many of them will focus on Local Government issues to deflect scrutiny of their own performance at State level.
It would appear that the “leading change” message was not meant for local government but may well be for the upcoming State election.
