Firstly, I would like to thank all the people who attended our Council meetings and the community catch-ups that have been held so far. It was reassuring and reinvigorating to hear dozens of people applaud as Council voted to maintain “Maximum Building Heights” and what I call our Airlie Beach vision statement which calls for us to maintain our vital, small-town scale, blue views to the sea, green views to Airlie Hill, and heights.
For those interested in our local community discussions, the summary documents for the Cannonvale catch-up are now available on the WRC Your Say webpage.
The many different responsibilities I now cover as a Councillor have proven to be just as rewarding and sometimes challenging to me as my years of involvement in town planning, working for a prosperous and liveable future for our region. I was happy to see the passion I’ve held is shared by many locals who know its importance as to how we will develop and grow to accommodate the sudden boom we have experienced recently.
Our current housing crisis is having a detrimental effect on so many, including residents, business, and tourism. It is a problem shared far beyond the Whitsundays and I welcome that the Council is taking measures to reduce the impacts and facilitate more development that will help alleviate the problems.
Another difficult challenge in our community is being highlighted in May as Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month. I have been actively working with DFV groups to help where I can. The stories and strength of survivors is something that pains but motivates me.
‘Love does not equal Control’ is this year’s theme to show abuse is not always through physical violence. One way you can help is by taking the old or broken mobile phone out of your draw and dropping it into a Library and Council will send it on to the charity ‘DV Phone Safe’ who will repair and reset before giving it to a victim or survivor in need of communication for safety and support.
Please let your friends and colleagues know that an old phone can make real change for someone in need, and it may just start a discussion of other things we can do to help.
