Why David Lewis for Division 6 in 2020

Welcome back to my website, and thank you for being interested in how, together, we can build on the best of the last four years, and continue to make local government work better for the Fraser Coast.

I have decided to ask you, the residents of Division 6, for another term in council. I am pleased, if humbled, by the number of people, both in the community and within council, who have urged me to stay for another term to ensure we can all keep on track, and keep moving in the right direction.

When I stood for election in 2016, I based my campaign on my long connection with our community, attributes of independence, balance, and inclusiveness, my professional background, and an ability to sift sense from nonsense. These still apply, but I also have the additional experience of four years in the job. I would hope that these factors are a sound basis for earning your trust, and if elected, I will strive to give even more to the community.

There are a number of reasons behind my decision to seek another term.  Let me share these with you briefly.

First: experience

Council is a complex operation, employing about 700 staff across four directorates, each of those handling a multiplicity of departments. Its annual budget is over $200 million, and its total assets exceed $2.7 billion.

The role of the councillors is to represent the residents, provide strategic direction, and to exercise a general supervision of council’s activities.

The last four years have been busy, very busy. I don’t think any first term councillor can appreciate the complexity and diversity of the council’s activities and responsibilities until he or she has been in the job for some time. But four years in the chamber, working with the officers, and working with the community is a great learning experience. I want to keep that experience working for our region.

Secondly: projects to be completed

The other thing one soon learns in council is how long it can take to get a good idea to fruition – especially if it is a big idea, affecting many facets of the community and council. I am proud to have initiated quite a few of these, but a number are yet to be completed, and continue to need to be advocated and driven.

These projects include greening our urban spaces. We need to provide for street trees in both established suburbs, as well as new subdivisions, and retain habitat where practicable. The Pialba CBD project needs to be planned and developed. We have a government grant of $40M for this project, and this provides a once in a generation opportunity to establish a fit-for-purpose administration building, and a new library to cater for growth over the next 30 or more years. And then there are things like the Maryborough to Bay Rail Trail, where an additional 3.5 km has been developed in the current term, but the balance needs to be completed.

Details of these and other initiatives are set out in the section The Future

Thirdly: providing council with strong governance and leadership

It is no secret that council went through some difficult times in its first two years. This was a period which called for clear minds and, on occasions, firm hands. I like to think that my experience as a lawyer assisted me to play a significant role in resolving those issues, and allowing the council and the community to move forward. I am gratified to have received support from members of the public on the way the council has refocused and got on with the job it was elected to do.

Keep your council in safe hands : Re-elect David Lewis for Division 6

For more information about me you can read a short bio here. You can also read an extract from my 2016 campaign.

All election material on this website is authorised by David Lewis, 54 Lyons Street, Point Vernon, Hervey Bay, Qld, for D Lewis (candidate).

Postal address: PO Box 142, Hervey Bay 4655

Phone: 0428 628 027