[Toowoomba 2012 Election] Reflections of a Toowoomba Regional Councillor

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Coming up today, I would briefly like to share with you some of my overall reflections on my first time on Toowoomba Regional Council.

I have thoroughly enjoyed leading my portfolio and planning & development. The process, the implementation of the City Centre Master Plan, the new Regional Plan and the Priority Infrastructure Plan were both challenging but enjoyable. The involvement of community interest groups as well as councillors and staff made these three projects so transparent. Historically, I understand that this hasn't always the case, in fact as an example the PIP usually has very little public input and the RP doesn't always give the whole community the opportunity to influence our future direction. I am continually reminded that is not the way we do it. It is certainly one way to get my shackles up — why not challenge the status quo?

I will always challenge the need for greater accountability with time lines and challenge that the council should implement best practice and not just settle for a mediocre approach, always trying to raise the bar.

It amazes me that to date we have not yet taken the time to address all the matters raised in the Community Plan by the community. Some matters have not been addressed in our Corporate Plan, therefore it means it remains off the agenda for the Operational Plan and naturally hasn't been addressed in the Budget for what the community want. The excuse that we have not had enough time or we are too busy really isn't good enough.

On my watch as Planning & Development portfolio, I became increasingly concerned that Charlton Wellcamp wasn't getting up and progressing. Nobody seemed to be championing the cause and I well remember bringing together 17 different arms of Council to discuss where to start. It has been one of my many learning experiences. I am pleased to say that Charlton Wellcamp Enterprise Area is underway and next year a complete strategic plan for the site will be produced. Personally I believe this is one of the major achievements for this Council.

Covering an area of 2,000 hectares, it is destined to provide much needed industrial land for the region. I see the site as having potential to be a key catalyst for business growth, leading to a more self-sustained economy. The site has the potential to provide employment for between 12,000--15,000 people and increase the TRC area's GRP by about 30%. The eastern boundary of the site is the corridor for the proposed Toowoomba Bypass road and the proposed Border Railway from Moree to Toowoomba. The area is also the start of the proposed Surat Basin Railway to Gladstone. The ATEC is proposing to establish a major intermodal freight centre at Charlton at the junction of the Border and Surat Basin railways.

Personally I have grown tired of hearing the predictable ''this is how we do it here'', ''this is local government, it takes time'', ''don't be impatient, to get it right takes time''. What a load of bull, I question all these statements. Rarely in local government have I witnessed where it is not possible to do something better. I personally don't believe we are operating in a local government framework anymore, this is now regional government. With over $3b in assets, a $500m annual budget and an area covering over 13,000km2, it not only takes time to get it right, it also takes passion.

One of my most frustrating issues is the continual discussion about any given subject for months ad nauseum because we don't sit down and reached a final solution or look for outcomes within a timeline. A classic example is the Economic Development Board which took over three years to ratify, yet was discussed within the first few months of the newly amalgamated TRC and might I add, with minimal discussion with councillors and is still to be signed off because of bureaucratic bungling. However, it was pleasing to report that after a meeting last week councillors have a greater understanding.

I have no doubt we have achieved a great deal in comparison with other councils that were involved in their own amalgamations throughout Queensland because of the lack of experience of the elected Representatives. But, like everything, there is still work to do in the area of innovation.

In our Region, this Council has to become more entrepreneurial in its activities in response to a variety of pressures including the decrease of State level funding and the need to provide local facilities.

I will never defend a situation where a culture of continuous improvement in not promoted, whether in leadership, goal setting, objectives or strategic direction.

Just imagine what we could have achieved if there was more collaboration, participation and creativity.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Clifton
• Millmerran
• Crows Nest
• Oakey
• Goombungee
• Pittsworth
• Greenmount
• Toowoomba
• Highfields
• Council meetings
• Vision
• strategies & reports
• Planning & development

[mork1100]

(cont) Give us someone who can inspire the community and push ahead. Make good sound policy for the future and stop flogging the poor already overburdened ratepayer. As previously said, too many consultants doing jobs that high paid executives should be doing especially in the area of workplace investigations, and I might say not alway following the advice then given anyway. And a CEO who greatest achievement has been getting the entire workforce off side. Bravo.

[mork1100]

(cont) Paul Pisasale from Ipswich burns with a passion and general love and goodwill for his city and community. Where is it here? A famous Qld politician once said, that government should exist to make things easier for the people, certainly not harder as it has been in this case. You are throwing your cards on the table far too late, Peter and I would expect come this March election that most of the present makeup of council will be thrown out by a tired, fedup and unforgiving community.

[mork1100]

For goodness sake Peter, try to at least inspire me. Trouble is that councillors are elected for 4 years and if we get it wrong, then there is no exit plan. I for one voted for the present setup of installing a lot of past councilors and Mayors from councils within the amalgamation. How wrong I was! Most have been duds and seem to flop between payrises and one political flip flop from one day to the next. Where are the leaders in this community?

[weststreetful]

You are asking us to vote for you so you can do what you should have already done, your part of the problem

[bezzy1736]

Toowoomba has always been a bureaucratic nightmare, now worse than ever.  Peter Marks confirms what intelligent rate payers already know. Peter Taylor, Paul Antonio and Gouldthorp must go. Under their inept leadership, they approved millions too consultants, increased water connection fees 100 percent and took self appointed massive pay increases at the height of the GFC. As for Antonio former Millmerran Mayor, I've watched the demise of Millmerran under his watch and he couldn't buy my vote.

[DennisN1943]

Good Grief man, if this video reflects your council ability you need to really brighten your ideas. If you're enthusiastic about your position LET YOUR FACE KNOW !!!!

[AndrewKucks]

I'm interested in the comments quoted by the Chronicle where you are quoted as saying "The council itself has a mediocre and below par communication department,"

Did you actually say that?

[dshinners1]

From my experience Peter Marks is the problem with Toowoomba Regional Council and would urge people not to vote for him.