Who Will Get Your Vote?

As polling day approaches for the Division 2 Councillor seat, we offer each of the candidates a public platform to tell us a bit about themselves and the reason they think they would be the best for the job.

1: Describe your personality in three words:

2: What qualifies you for the position?

3: What is the reason you want to be a Councillor?

4: What key projects would you support?

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Clay Bauman

Coming to the Whitsundays to pursue a passion for sailing, Clay has lived in the area for 15 years. He has produced and directed numerous films and video productions, locally, nationally and internationally.

1: Friendly, conscientious, and reliable

2: I am familiar with coordinating the entire budget across multiple departments and leading a diverse team towards a common goal. I am directly involved with sporting clubs and community groups and have been lobbying Council for the past six years.

3: Since attending my first Council meeting six years ago, I have seen the direct affect Council decisions have on our daily lives and budget. I want to help create change and be at the Council table representing not only Division 2, but conscientiously acting to ensure the best outcomes for our entire region.  

4: The current major amendment to our town plan is very important to ensuring we maintain a high quality of life, liveable suburbs, and a prosperous future. There are also several committees I would like to be appointed to as a Council representative.

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Christopher Harvey

A long-term local of the Whitsundays, Chris is an electrician by trade and loves the outdoors - running, tennis, football - and is a big fan of the North Qld Cowboys.

1: Outgoing, approachable, friendly

2: I have been volunteering with different community organisations, such as Whitsunday SES Group and Local Ambulance Committee. I was awarded Whitsunday Regional Council Citizen of the Year in 2018 for my years of volunteering and my work after Cyclone Debbie with the emergency services.

3: I would like to bring a voice to the Council not just from the people in the community but also to the many organisations that I am a part of.

4: I would like to see more paths/lanes that are user friendly not just for walkers and runners but also for scooters and bikes. I would also work towards getting more charging stations for electric vehicles installed around the region and improved safety for everyone in the form of better roads, more footpaths, wider bike lanes and more street lighting along paths.

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Dan Popovich

Originally from the UK, Dan moved to the Whitsundays with his family 15 years ago. He operates a home-based practice, Peak Body Mechanics, in Woodwark with his wife, Karen.

1: Cool-headed, organised, articulate

2: My previous professional roles include business coach and trainer, delivering management and leadership training to businesses, Councils and Department of Premier and Cabinet in Tasmania. I’m confident that my professional experience in a combination of strategic thinking and project management combined with small business, large enterprise experience and commitment to the Whitsundays would be a positive contribution to the community.

3: Government of any level is there to serve the people - not for the people to serve government, and our community is owed transparency on council business affairs, and I stand to listen to and voice community concerns and aspirations.

4: I believe we need a strategic plan for the Shire, and I believe the proposed high rise Airlie Beach developments should not pollute our skyline and turn our town into a Gold Coast 2.0.

Andy Camm

Having grown up on the family farm in Bloomsbury, Andy eventually moved away from the region before recently returning from 11 years living in the Sunshine Coast. His time away saw him spend some years playing Rugby in Canada before beginning a career in real estate in 1994. He said his greatest pride are his three children.

1: Very approachable person

2: I have worked in three local industries - farming, building and real estate. During my time I have been a team leader, manager and business owner. Having played team sports, plus worked in large organisations both locally and in Southeast Queensland, has taught me the importance of working together with others to achieve great outcomes.

3: With so much natural beauty to enjoy here, we truly need to make sure that all future developments are correctly managed to maintain this.

4: I would like to see an over 50’s village built here, plus a retirement village in the area. Road congestion is a real concern as well. I also do not understand why there is a proposal for a cluster of traffic lights between Paluma Rd and Macarthur Dr.

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