Cairns Mayoral candidates asked to show sustainability credentials – no response from Margaret Cochrane

Three of the four Mayoral candidates for the Cairns Regional Council area, Val Schier, Ian Thomas and Bob Manning responded to an environment and sustainability survey sent to all Mayoral and councillor candidates in the Cairns, Cassowary Coast and Tablelands areas.

“Unfortunately Margaret Cochrane of Community Alliance did not complete a survey, calling into question her interest in this issue. This is cause for great concern for a potential Mayor in a region that heavily depends on the integrity of our unique natural environment for our social and economic base”, says Sarah Hoyal, CAFNEC Coordinator.

The survey questions were designed to give voters an understanding of candidate views on a range of environment and sustainability issues in Far North Queensland. Questions could be answered yes or no, but candidates were also able to make additional comment or attach policy documents to provide further detail on their positions.

All candidate responses are available at http://cafnec.org.au/election2012/Election2012_Front_Page.php

Sarah Hoyal said, “Based on the responses we received, from an environmental perspective CAFNEC believes that Val Schier responded with the most measured concern for the environment, while Ian Thomas would be our second recommendation to voters.“

A summary of the three Mayoral candidates’ responses are summarised below and their detailed responses are in the attached table.

CLIMATE CHANGE
Val Schier and Ian Thomas were both supportive of allocating funds to undertake actions documented in Council’s Climate Change Strategy (2010 – 2015) to reduce impacts on, adapt to, and build community resilience to climate change. Bob Manning indicated he had no knowledge of this document. Val Schier said “It is important that Council acts locally to reduce the region’s impact on climate change by reducing energy and emissions. It is equally important for council to take action to adapt to the changing climate which will be unavoidable given the region’s geographic location.” Ian Thomas indicated he had “…an exciting project which will explain my proposed initiatives.”

DAINTREE POWER
All three candidates supported the implementation of a sustainable stand-alone power supply for the Daintree area that has no adverse impact on the environment or World Heritage values of the area. However both Ian Thomas and Bob Manning also support extending mains power to the Daintree which CAFNEC believes is contrary to their answers to the previous question. Val Schier stated that she believed that this mains power option would also be more costly as well as environmentally damaging than a stand-alone supply for the Daintree.

DAINTREE FERRY CONSERVATION LEVY
Bob Manning did not support the reinstatement of a conservation levy on the Daintree Ferry to allow a Conservation Infrastructure Management Fund that Council could use for the purchase of land and other conservation outcomes. Ian Thomas stated that it was “…A difficult question – only in regard to the effect of additional costs on tourism operators who are currently struggling. Definitely something to be tabled as Cairns emerges after this recession.” Val Schier would support a levy if it was “legally possible” and that it “would be for tourists to pay and not locals”, and “would operate in a similar way to the Reef Tax which all visitors to the reef pay to contribute to its protection and management.”

CAIRNS AIRPORT EXPANSION
Bob Manning did not think that the Cairns airport expansion (with the loss of 100 hectares of mangroves) would “become an issue in the foreseeable future”. Both Val Schier and Ian Thomas stated their opposition to the mangrove destruction.

MULGRAVE AQUIFER EXTRACTION
Only Val Schier was willing to clearly state that she would oppose the extraction of water from the Mulgrave Aquifer if it is shown to have negative environmental impacts, and instead support the implementation of local water efficiency measures to better manage our current water supply. Both other candidates made cautious, non-committal replies.

DREDGING TRINITY INLET
Both Bob Manning and Ian Thomas support the further dredging of Trinity Inlet (in addition to current routine dredging) to allow large cruise ships to enter the port. Bob Manning would support this “…subject to the necessary studies being done and approvals obtained” while Ian Thomas stated that he would support the dredging “Only on the basis of no detrimental effects – we do not need another Gladstone.” Val Schier believes “It’s critical that the recent feasibility study on dredging the inlet is made public and any possible environmental impacts of additional dredging are known; this includes any impacts in relation to the disposal of dredged sediment.”

OTHER ENVIRONMENT ISSUES
All three candidates agreed – with some reservations – to supporting rates incentives to encourage biodiversity conservation and sustainable building design on private property and will seek to ensure the improvement of public transport and bicycle infrastructure in the region. All three candidates also supported Council working with other partners (such as Landcare and Natural Resource Management bodies) to manage both current and emerging biosecurity threats (e.g. Myrtle Rust, tramp and electric ants, tilapia, pigs etc).

NO RESPONSE FROM COMMUNITY ALLIANCE
No members of Community Alliance, led by Margaret Cochrane, answered our survey. However a quick review of their website (www.commmunityalliancecairns.com) reveals they are keen to see ‘red tape reduction’ and ‘streamlining’ of development applications. Sarah Hoyal, CAFNEC Coordinator says: “On first reading to most voters this Community Alliance policy may sound fairly reasonable… BUT fast-tracking development has historically resulted in negative outcomes for the environment.”

MAYORAL FORUM
CAFNEC attempted to organise a Cairns Regional Council Mayoral Environment Forum for the last week prior to the local government election – however only two of the four candidates (Val Schier and Ian Thomas) indicated they could attend. We acknowledge that this forum was organised with limited notice, but were disappointed that as a result we were obliged to cancel the forum as we did not believe two candidates was sufficient to provide for a robust debate.

With only 5 days till the election I urge you all to carefully consider each Candidate in each Division so that the choice you make accurately reflects your own views and vision for this region. Council is community based representation and requires a person who will actively seek out the members of their community and consult with them so that the community is represented properly in Council.

I would also strongly recommend you vote Independent. This is because Independent Candidates will represent their community and their region and no person or team. They are able to work with others but have chosen to remain Independent so that they can retain the ability to vote according to the wishes of the community which is important for the future of the region we all love.

There are two Independent Candidates in Division 2. Myself, and Jeff, giving you the choice of one which best suits you.

Remember, your vote is the best way to have your say! Good luck to all candidates for this Saturday.

Donations during Campaigns are a source of interest for many members of the community. For that reason I am choosing to release the details of donations to my campaign up till today along with full disclosure of where that money was spent.

Received:

$500 – Michael and Bronwyn Hodgkins (thanks mum and dad)

$500 – Laurie McCallum (thanks Grandad)

$500 – TJ Ryan Foundation

$200 – Dr Caroline De Costa

*Donations less than $200 from family and friends. Average $35. Total approximately $300.

Outgoing:

$750 (approx) – T-shirts and corflutes

$780 – cards and flyers

$800 – billboard sized corflutes

$200 (approx) – food, stationary and drinks etc for election day.

$65 – advertising costs

As for financial interests, I own a car (2000 model commodore s/w) and am paying a mortgage on my own home. I have no shares or investments, nor do I have any term deposits or interest bearing accounts.

St Therese’s Fete is coming up. With the Theme of The Year of The Farmer I am quite sure it will be a great family event and will exceed expectations as this Fete does every year. Lock it into the diary and I hope to see you all there!

During door-knocking I have been asked many times about the possibility of a dog park in the area. It seems that many residents are concerned about strays and unleashed animals while walking their dogs, several have been confronted and their children no longer feel safe walking their pets.
A dog park needn’t be an expensive exercise and there is scope for one to be built. Three blocks in Division 2 are already deemed leash free zones but remain unfenced. To stop stray animals from entering those spaces a fence would need to be built. It would be entirely possible to make that happen quite quickly, with the potential for dog exercise equipment at a later date when funds become available.

I have also spoken to residents who feel the current registration laws are unfair. Many people have three dogs (the majority of those have been left behind by extended family members) and have done the right thing and applied for Registration when the dogs became permanent residents of their home. When this occurs and it is a third dog, Council staff will visit the home to ensure regulations are adhered to and the space for the animals is sufficient. Once it’s been decided that the animals will be looked after comfortably, the bill is sent out. Currently, the third dog costs far more than the other two to Register. For one or two dogs is costs between $12 and $30 each and for a third dog it is just over $212. That makes it $25 more expensive than registration for a dangerous dog.

If you have gone to the trouble of doing the right thing, had the full inspection and been deemed a good owner, why should you have to pay extra? Quite simply, you shouldn’t. In this instance, the cost should be the same as the other two, plus a small fee for the permit.

I will be advocating for both of these to happen if elected as Councillor of Division 2.

Northern Pride Rugby League Football Club’s innovative Take Pride program was recognised for its work in improving the health of Indigenous children at a national awards ceremony in Sydney this week.

The Take Pride in Personal Hygiene program was co-nominated with the Cairns Public Health Unit, Queensland Health, in the 3^rd Annual Excellence in Indigenous Health Awards, which took place yesterday, and they were runners-up which is a great result!

An upcoming forum will help artists in the Cairns region to apply for funding under the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF).

Cairns Regional Council will host RADF Unravelled! to provide information on the grants program, the application process and how to complete a submission.

“These workshops will help to demystify the grant application process,” Council’s Creative Cairns Manager Leslie Sparkes said.

“As an artist, the paperwork involved in submitting a grant application can appear quite daunting. As a result, sometimes great ideas don’t get the funding that they deserve.

“We are holding these workshops so that anyone wishing to apply for RADF funding has the opportunity to understand how the process works.”

RADF grants are available to arts and cultural activities that demonstrate a professional standard of work and contributing to the vitality and diversity of the arts industry in the Cairns region.

“Projects that have received funding over the years showcase the diversity of arts and cultural practice in the Cairns region,” Ms Sparkes said.

“They have included community theatre projects, environmental art installations, musical workshops, historical archiving and documentation, dance industry development and cultural tourism initiatives, among many others.”

The forum will be held at the Botanic Gardens Visitors Centre on Sunday, April 1, from 1pm to 4pm.

Individual RADF consultations will also be available by appointment at the Mossman Council Administration on Monday, March 26.

To book a spot at the forum or an individual consultation time, contact Lucy Hart on 4032 6644 or email l.hart@cairns.qld.gov.au.

For more information on RADF Unravelled! visit www.cairns.qld.gov.au

The next round of RADF grants is open from March 26 until April 27 for projects that start after July 1. Application kits can be downloaded from http://www.arts.qld.gov.au/funding/radf-applicants.html

The Regional Arts Development Fund is a Queensland Government and Cairns Regional Council partnership to support local arts and culture.

As part of National Year of Reading and Women’s History Month, a free interactive workshop will look at some of the elements associated with building a home that will make the most of the tropical climate.

Cairns Libraries this week welcomes Dr Shaneen Fantin – Director, People Oriented Design – who will host interactive workshop The Least House Necessary.

“Women’s History Month, March 2012, is part of a nationwide campaign to focus on Women with a Plan: Women architects, planners and landscape gardeners,” Cairns Libraries Manager Kerrie Still said.

“This year’s workshop aims to assist potential home designers to develop concepts for their own house.

“Instead of considering the number of bathrooms, digital monitors and air-conditioners a designer might need, Dr Fantin will be encouraging them to consider just what is the least house needed to enjoy life?

“Ideally, The Least House Necessary will consume less energy, take less energy to build, reduce your dependence on your possessions and maximise the enjoyment of the tropics.”

A free workshop will be held on Thursday, March 15, from 6-7pm in the Cairns City Library meeting room (Abbott Street).  Bookings are essential and can be made by phoning 4044 3720.