One of the most familiar and respected local Government officials in the Shire has confirmed an intention to run for Mayor at the upcoming local elections in March.

Just seconds ago current Douglas Shire Deputy Mayor Lisa Scomazzon revealed the development exclusively to Newsport readers.

LISA SCOMAZZON MAYORAL STATEMENT

I would like to announce I will be running for Mayor in the upcoming 2024 elections.

As a current Councillor and Deputy Mayor, I feel I am well positioned to take our shire into the next phase. With good leadership, our Councillors will have an opportunity to work as a united team to produce positive and overdue change. 

As a ratepayer and resident of Douglas Shire, my family has a long history in the sugar and tropical fruit industries which helped to build this community for a better future.

I own a local business and previously worked for the State Government for 26 years. I have practical knowledge in financial management and budgets, experience in operational and administration manager roles with experience in policy writing and a sound understanding of legislation.

I can assure the community of the Douglas Shire that I will give my full attention to the position of Mayor and will run as an independent with no political affiliation. It is time to do this job without any outside influences.

The next 4 year term is going to be very challenging. As you know, it will involve rebuilding and repairing major infrastructure such as water and roads. Making them reliable and being better prepared for Far North Queensland weather is essential. 

I believe we have achieved much in the last 4 years, and there is still a long way to go. If I am successful, I look forward to working with other likeminded Councillors who uphold: “It is all about our shire in achieving the best place to live and be financially sustainable”. There are many projects that need to be completed, and many things that need to be prioritised.

Together we can do this if we agree on a way forward as a cohesive and collective Shire without division. I will ensure, with the CEO, that the Council as a whole is accountable, effective, efficient and sustainable by being transparent with good governance and best practice decision making in the best interest of Douglas.

I will continue to strongly support and encourage my fellow Councillors in working together to build great relationships between ourselves, allowing the team to work cohesively for the community. Currently, the existing four Councillors have worked tirelessly for the community and have worked together to make sure that the best decisions were made for Douglas Shire.

I have always encouraged democratic decision making to ensure that all Councillors have their views heard at all times. We may not have always agreed with each other on some decisions but we have continued to work with each other in a friendly and trusted environment.

It is imperative that changes need to be implemented pertaining to customer focus within the whole of the organisation which includes community needs, communication on all levels, customer focused services, good governance and cost effective management. As Mayor and alongside with Councillors I will ensure that this will occur to ensure that Douglas Shire is maintained to the highest standards.

I will guarantee to make the Council's detailed financial records available to the public. I will open up the Council to the public in a way never seen before to ensure full transparency. I will bring common sense, intergrity and paractically to the table.

I believe this is paramount for the ratepayers to be informed of the true costs on where their rates and services revenue is spent. It’s called accountability for the ratepayer, through transparency by the Council and Councillors.

Although I have stated previously that I would of liked to have another term as a Councillor, I believe that the impacts of the recent weather requires leadership from someone that has had Council experience, someone who is honest, with strong integrity, is not afraid to listen to the community and is happy to welcome a change of management.

It’s time to bring positive change to Douglas. We have a lot to do, we need to get down to basics, and we need to do it together. This can only be achieved by common sense, integrity, practicality and transparency. I look forward to the next four years ahead, advocating for the entire community and seeing Douglas Shire move forward in a financially sensible and sustainable way.

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At this stage, Lisa Scomazzon is the only candidate to formally annonce an interest in running for Douglas Shire Mayor ahead of the upcoming February 12 deadline.