Leu looks to the future



Sunday 10 March 2013

Leu looks to the future

De-amalgamation supporters continue to revel in the result of yesterday's poll and Julia Leu is sure to feature prominently in the lead up to the re-formation of the Douglas Shire Council.

The Division 10 councillor spoke with The Newsport this morning after a night of celebration.

"It's a really good feeling because the people in Douglas, we were always outraged since the announcement was made that we were to be amalgamated in July 2007," she said.

"In a way the vote yesterday, it (the result) was against all odds really in the end and despite massive, massive money, which was very obvious, going into the 'no' campaign."

Cr Leu said she had already started looking to the future, and working towards uniting a community that was split 57 per cent to 43 per cent at the polls.

"In many ways I started that yesterday at different polling booths and talking with various people. It's the number one priority for me.

"As the current councillor, I've always had a good relationship with a lot of individuals throughout the entire Shire. I got a good vote in 2008 and I got a good vote in Douglas in 2012.

"I think now that it's over, in terms of the vote...I'm very keen to actively isolate some of the things we can do to work better as a community. We have done so very successfully in the past.

"We're not children, we are adults, and I think some of the rhetoric coming out of the 'no' campaign was that we just can't get on, and therefore let's just delegate all our decision making power...

"I think it's about looking at what the issues are and then what we can do about it. I've got every confidence that we can make some good progress."

Cr Leu levelled criticism at the Boundaries Commissioner, Col Meng, describing the advertising around the de-amalgamation polls as "unprecedented" and "biased".

"The amount of money the Boundaries Commissioner spent in additional advertising, and certainly all the four communities did get up in arms...it was information that was unusual and can be described as being biased.

"People said 'Why on Earth are they spending money on additional advertising?', print advertising across the community, radio advertising. It was extensive and would have been millions of dollars, even at a time when they're cutting back on Queensland Health workers."

She dismissed much of the criticism of the former Douglas Shire Council as now being irrelevant.

"Talking to people last night there's a lot of excitement about our future, and there's a lot of possibilities. We can be cost effective, our model has shown that, there are a lot of opportunities, and if I've got anything to do with it I'll be looking to repair any wounds that have been opened in the last few weeks..."

However, Cr Leu admitted there is some additional pressure on the new Council to perform.

"Absolutely, of course. And again, if I've got anything to do with it, it will be a number one priority to make sure we have a very cost effective council that is responsive to what this community needs and what is appropriate.

"I'm very much looking forward to proving QTC (Queensland Treasury Corporation) wrong."

She added that her role as Division 10 councillor will not change until the end of 2013 when a new Douglas Shire Council will be formed, and defended her strong stance for de-amalgamation despite her position on the Cairns Regional Council.

"I've spoken twice to the Minister (for Local Government, David Crisafulli) in terms of my stance and he said very clearly that I have absolutely no conflict of interest, and that as a local councillor I am entitled to take a position on any issue, whether that might be fluoride or planning issues, it's no different, and that I am elected to represent my constituents as I see fit.

"There was no way I could just sit on the fence."