DOUGLAS Shire mayoral candidates Julia Leu and Roy Weavers had their first opportunity to go head-to-head at the Cow Bay Candidate Election Forum today.

Incumbent Mayor Ms Leu used her first public comments of the election campaign to champion solidarity, not change, after what she described as a successful term in power after winning office in November 2013.

Addressing members of the public at the Cow Bay Hotel in one of three candidate forums in the run up to the election, Ms Leu promised to build on her “strong financial and economic leadership” if re-elected.

“I truly believe now is not the time for change, now is the time to build and consolidate on our successful first term,” Ms Leu said.

“When I first ran for Mayor I promised to provide strong financial and economic leadership and also to develop a modern, inclusive and functional council.

“The Douglas Shire Council is a $40million business, and the mayoral position in particular requires experience, business acumen, as well as community credentials.

“I have the proven experience, and a professional, progressive and passionate leadership is what I will deliver.”

Conversely, Mr Weavers said it was time for fresh ideas, forward thinking and innovation, and promised to engage the business community if elected. He said he would recruit the best business brains and innovators from across the Shire to investigate all forms of alternative revenues in an attempt to ease the burden on ratepayers.

“We need innovation, we need better business practices, we need vision and we need a collaborative effort from all community sectors,” Mr Weavers said.
 
“Asking for help does not show weakness from the business sector, it shows strength.

“As Mayor I will review the unexpectedly high rates that came from the promises of de-amalgamation, to ensure the individual ratepayer is not the first target. If you look at all the best practice councils within Australia, there isn’t one of them that rely on the individual ratepayer for more than 60 per cent of their revenue. Not until all alternatives have been addressed would we turn to the individual ratepayer.”

On the issue of rate rises Ms Leu used the forum to address what she described as a “scare campaign” and “deliberate misinformation” she feels discredits council’s acknowledged success in financial management. She said in her first financial year as Mayor she reduced the projected deficit by 80 per cent - an almost $4million improvement for the first full financial year, and that rate increases were below projections.

“Rates did not rise as predicted following de-amalgamation, and furthermore under my leadership the 3.9 per cent general rate rise in 2015 was well below forecast,” Ms Leu said.

“I have always delivered budgets with rates that are significantly below projections. The correct balance is critical, otherwise residents could end up with massive debts, a loss of services and possibly even face the dysfunctional chaos of the former Douglas Shire Council.”

However, Mr Weavers said he had no confidence in the current figures published by the Mayor and would review them if he took office adding he planned to “restabalise the budget”.

The election candidate forum was successfully moderated by the Daintree Marketing Cooperative with around 40 people in attendance.  The next forum will be held at the Port Douglas Community Centre on March 10 from 5.30pm as the countdown to Douglas Shire election continues.