After a five year campaign to have Douglas Shire Council re-instated, one of the drivers of Friends of Douglas Shire, Michael Gabour, feels the group’s efforts have resulted in an emphatic victory.

The Newsport spoke with the man himself (pictured) yesterday.

The Newsport: How do you feel about the weekend’s vote to return to a Douglas Shire Council?

Michael Gabour: Elated. It’s been a very long and determined five year struggle to get to this point and to have that effort vindicated by the solid majority that voted yes makes me fell absolutely elated.

TN: Where to now for FODS?

MG: FODS is a network of people determined to regain our independence, a network of people who will carry on being the Friends of Douglas Shire.

The steering committee is stepping back at this point and encouraging the community to get behind Julia Leu to ensure that this transition period is completely transparent.

I have no concern that we will elect a capable mayor and four capable councillors, but I am concerned that a less than independent CEO answering to Col Meng (Boundaries Commissioner) could encumber a new shire with unnecessary start-up problems.

The leadership of the Friends of Noosa has expressed similar concerns, as has Mick Borzi (Mareeba) and Livingstone – all four areas who are de-amalgamating will be making deputations to the minister for local government regarding the lack of impartiality by the Boundary Commissioner.

I’m encouraging all the groups in the region – the Chamber of Commerce, the Douglas Economic Development Group, tourism groups – to support Cr Julia Leu in demanding complete transparency in this process.  

TN: The vote for de-amalgamation was a history-making decision – what do see as the future of the local economy?

MG: We’re at a very exciting time at the history of Douglas – certainly the fact that we have reclaimed our self-government is one of the most momentous accomplishments that has occurred here in the 22 years I’ve been a resident.  It will set the course for this community into the future.

Recently tourism has rebounded due to increased flights into new and established markets, which is exciting; the prospect of major investment at the marina augurs well for resurgence of the building industry, as other projects will almost assuredly come online; there’s already been a major investment in the sugar industry with the purchase of the Mossman Mill and I’m told Mackay Sugar plans for more capital expenditure at the plant.

We’re on the cusp of something very big and it’s important to work together to elect a smart, capable local government to create an environment so these opportunities are realised.

It’s too bad the outcome was not a unanimous 100% yes vote, but it’s time to get over the acrimony of the past few weeks and start working together to ensure the best outcome during this transition period.

I think we are all big and smart and mature enough to put the animosity aside and make sure we all work for the best interests of this community.

TN: Do any FODS steering committee members intend running for council?

MG: Cr Julia Leu intends to run for mayor, but I know (former Douglas mayor) Mick Berwick will not be standing for any position in the first local government.

Personally I have no intention to run, I have been approached by many people and the phone’s been running hot, but I certainly have no intention of running. No-one on the FODS committee that I am aware of (will be running) – we would like to provide input into candidate selection, but the steering committee itself has done the job it said it would all those years ago at that Mossman meeting where 800 people said we would support you guys to lead this battle towards de-amalgamation. That was our mandate and I think we have fulfilled that.

But that doesn’t mean we any of us are washing our hands of the shire – all of us will be involved in the local issues, we will all stay in touch and reply to the emails of our members.

TN: Is there pressure for council to succeed based in the FODS model?

MG: Of course. The new council will make decisions on how things are funded, but if you follow David Carey’s model, there’s no reason to believe rates will go up by $701 or any other fictitious amount in order to pay for the cost of amalgamation.

TN: Do you believe old wounds would open again in a new Douglas Shire council, as stated by Cairns Regional Council Mayor Bob Manning?

MG: No. There are some people that harbour strong animosities towards certain people in the community and they like to feed those differences, but it’s an overinflated issue.

There is no “us and them”. We are one big, huge area full of diverse people with a love of this place in common. We all want to see this place prosper and grow – there may be differences on how they want it to grow, but those things can be resolved.

TN: Do you think it’s time for a younger generation to step up to represent a new council?

MG: I can certainly see a younger generation taking the reins, absolutely. The rest of us are no longer spring chickens. Having said that, I will continue to play an active role in this community, as will all of the FODS steering committee, but as individuals, not as a steering committee.