Douglas Decides 24' - Peter McKeown Councillor candidacy statement

BUILD-UP CONTINUES

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Peter McKeown. Picture: Supplied

Born in Atherton and raised in Cairns, I completed my schooling at St. Augustine’s College. My career  started in the banking sector, where I spent 15 years in various roles, including customer service and international operations.

After transferring to Mossman, I reached a managerial position before  joining my wife's family business, where we've served our community and tourists for 36 years. 

Operating multiple businesses alongside my family, I've experienced the challenges of long hours and seven-day weeks. My wife and I have raised our three children in this shire, all of whom work and  reside here. 

I was inspired to run for Councillor four years ago as I was, and still am, passionate about this Shire and maintaining its diverse lifestyle. I have had the honour of representing this community for the  past four years and I feel I have positively contributed to serving the shire.

As a property owner in the Douglas Shire, I have a vested interest in ensuring that rates and charges  are kept to a minimum while still maintaining adequate services for our residents.  

In my term as Councillor, I have supported many ratepayers navigate the Council systems and assisted  with queries to Council.  

With my previous financial background, I have had the knowledge to comprehend Councils  financials. With a budget of $50+ million per annum, half of which comes from ratepayers'  contributions, I am mindful of how this money is used and distributed in our Shire.  

We are in a sound financial position. 

I wish to continue to serve this Shire as I feel there are still major issues and unfinished business that  needs to be addressed and finalised.  

Some matters for example are the Daintree Ferry - while as Councillors we may not always agree on  the same outcomes, it is my desire to follow this through with a positive conclusion for all involved.  The replacement of the bridge over Noah's Creek has become a major priority due to the recent floods, it was before but is now more so.

Currently, our Town Planning Scheme is being reviewed by the State Government and I feel this is an important matter which requires minor alterations. There are some irregularities in this scheme which have prevented progress and housing supply. Further review by this Council will help alleviate the lack of housing in this area.  

I feel there needs to be attention to the foreshores of our beaches and some improvements to help in the beautification of our pristine shire.  

After the recent cyclone and flooding event our Shire experienced, I am well equipped to assist with  the inevitable problems our Shire may face. 

The recent historic weather events and the landslides have created unforeseen changes, this has impacted our water supply as we have had to deal with changes to our water quality and chemical  composition.  

There has been much conversation into the water topic and the assumption to the lack of maintenance and funding into the water treatment plant, however, this plant has worked  successfully for the past 10 years and when installed was a state-of-the-art project and has been  maintained.

This serious event has been very frustrating for consumers as well as the Council and I am completely committed to resolving this present situation.  

On a recent visit to Cape Tribulation, it is evident that the people of this community are still struggling and will for some time as they endeavour to get their lives back on track.

The businesses of this area are still suffering with loss of income as travel is very restricted, or not at all. While there have been promises from higher levels of  Government to fast-track the repairs, I feel this needs to be followed through as a matter of urgency  to allow this situation to be finalised.  

With the uncertainty of the Mossman Mill's future, even though as Councillor it is not in our hands, we need to consider the consequences of the possible closure and the impact it will have on our families and jobs of this Shire.  

I am here not just as an individual, but as a representative of our community, always ready to listen, learn, and work united to address the issues that matter most. 

Over the past four years as my term as Councillor, I have always made myself available and will continue  to do so as I look forward to the possibility of the next four years as your voice and Councillor. 

Peter McKeown