COUNCIL has put a wish list to the major parties, asking state election candidates to support priority Redland issues.
Proposed by mayor Karen Williams and tabled by deputy mayor Wendy Boglary, Redland City Council seeks a boost to public transport and the North Stradbroke Island transition from mining strategy and more funding for Southern Moreton Bay Islands.
It also has mounted a push for a cut in water costs, infrastructure, social and community services and better protection for koalas.
Cr Paul Bishop told today’s council meeting that he could not support the plan because individual candidates could not make such promises and the proposal did not relate to council’s strategic strategy.
Cr Golle backed the proposal but questioned the validity of such a move given the number of promises already being made by many candidates on things like road upgrades to attract votes.
He said outside the meeting an example was a $45 million promise made by Redlands MP Matt McEachan to upgrade Cleveland-Redland Bay Road. This sum was not sufficient for the work needed and had little chance of coming to fruition.
Cr Boglary said council had to be strategic and up front with all election candidates.
She said it was an opportunity to hold all local members of Parliament to account by getting them into council headquarters at a later date and asking them what they had done to progress local issues.
“Is that why they don’t come here?” asked Cr Murray Elliott.
Cr Williams, in WA for the Australian Local Association of Australia meeting, said council did not want Redlands forgotten during the campaign.
“The plan includes seeking a commitment from candidates to upgrade state roads in the city, in particular Cleveland-Redland Bay Road, as well as the duplication of the Cleveland rail line and the Eastern Busway,” she said.
Council’s wish list includes $110 million for Stradbroke, $26 million for SMBI ferry terminal upgrades, a retro-fitting of state owned roads to facilitate wildlife movement and a boost to marine and roads infrastructure to cater for population growth.
LNP Capalaba candidate Cameron Leafe said the LNP was happy to work with Cr Williams.
Cr Elliott said congestion was a major issue in the Redlands and public transport was the only prospect of fixing the problem.
Cr Lance Hewlett did not take part in the debate as he was concerned about a perceived conflict of interest because his brother-in-law Peter Dowling was standing in the election. Election candidate Cr Julie Talty also was not present.
Councillors decided that political affiliations were not a conflict of interest issue in this case because the document was being sent to all major parties.
Council has written to all candidates and their responses will be uploaded to redland.qld.gov.au with the state advocacy document.