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Tablelands Mayoral Candidates Forum
4 March 2008
Summary of Key Responses
Note that these are summaries of some candidate responses, but do not contain direct quotes from the candidates. As such they represent a summarized cross-section of the full set of views provided on all the issues discussed at the forum.
Attending: Tom Gilmore, Peter Hodge, Joe Moro, Joe Paronella, Geoff Stocker
(candidates listed in alphabetical order)
Define ecological sustainability and describe your vision for achieving it in the Tablelands Regional Council.
Gilmore – Sustainability is about meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations (standard definition). Mr Gilmore emphasized energy auditing/efficient use of energy and tree planting. Issues to address include auditing of road construction in regard to energy use and also that the community needs to overcome inertia of not having recycling across Tablelands. The community needs to come along with the Council on addressing the recycling issue.
Hodge – Sustainability is about meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations (standard definition). Mr Hodge discussed the three broad conditions of sustainability (also standard definitions) and said that too many people are using too many resources. His vision is to make the district environmentally sustainable through good planning processes. In particular, the Integrated Planning Act must work effectively to achieve this at the regional scale.
Moro – Sustainability is about not harming the place where we live – while still having economic development. Climate change is an important consideration with the Council needing to show leadership in energy usage and its carbon footprint. The budget for achieving this is a challenge and the community must be engaged in this process.
Paronella - Sustainability is about meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations (standard definition). Mr Paronella believes that climate change is a key threat and that the region is ideal for developing solar and hydro power. The key issues for the region are recycling, achieving a balance between environmental and social goals, retention of vegetation and creating bicycle pathways. He suggested a region-wide environmental levy to assist with these programs.
Stocker – Sustainability is about the management of the natural environment so it continues to provide a range of benefits to the community. He believes that eco-tourism needs to be developed further and that climate change is a key consideration. Mr Stocker would encourage tree planting and he would address issues relating to nutrient losses from pastures. He would establish an eco-tourism task force and believes that the region can become an educational and research resource on tropical environments.
How will you address the issue of public transport?
Glimore – Very expensive. Not easily addressed in next few years.
Hodge – Doesn’t consider it possible to address in one term.
Moro – Not financially doable in near future.
Paronella – Acknowledges need to smaller communities, but doesn’t see how it is currently financially possible.
Stocker – Will try to address somewhat – must be heavily subsidised.
Questions from the audience:
Would you allow subdivision of sensitive forested properties?
Gilmore – No: need to review even current plans.
Hodge – No: doesn’t support.
Moro – No: but concerned about FNQ2025 Plan.
Paronella – No: but will need to follow FNQ2025 Plan overlay.
Stocker – No: subdivisions should occur near towns.
Would you have the Tablelands region be GM (genetically-modified) free?
Gilmore – No: but don’t know enough about it.
Hodge – Yes.
Moro – No.
Paronella – Yes
Stocker – Not persuaded, but open to hearing more about it.
How should unprocessed waste be handled?
Gilmore – Will need to analyse costs over long-term. Additional recycling may be appropriate.
Hodge – Would institute a Water and Waste Director to oversee this issue.
Moro – Need to improve current system and not have 4 different facilities.
Paronella – Would expand the current Atherton system.
Stocker – Would have a more extensive recycling system.