OPINION: Newsport Senior Writer Howard Salkow previews tomorrow’s crucial Douglas Shire Council elections and poses the question: Can an underdog manufacture a story for the ages?

Some might say it’s easier to pick a winner at the local racetrack. Such is the uncertainty of how this election could unfold. Will it be a case of the devil you know, versus opting for new faces in Council Chambers?

By all accounts, pre-polling has been reasonably brisk. The three forums – in the Daintree, Port Douglas and Mossman – were reasonably well attended. We know that mayoral candidate and underdog Roy Weavers has been extremely active and accessible. His opponent, however, was more selective.

As hard as we tried, incumbent Mayor Julia Leu ignored every request for interviews with Newsport. It was our intent to provide her with ample opportunity to convey her message, but she chose not to. We reluctantly accepted the decision, but by doing so, Newsport’s 3,500-plus daily readership never got to hear her plans should she be re-elected.

When I did get an opportunity to ask whether Port Douglas should have representation on council, her response was: “I’ll need to think about it.” She did not get back to me.

What was most frustrating was Leu leaving voters in the dark regarding her plans. Voters had a right to know if the Marina upgrade will proceed; if more money will be poured into tourism; whether the retirement village proposed for Port Douglas will get the green light; what sort of rate increase we can expect; will there be engagement with the private and public sector to seek additional revenue streams, along with a host of other issues.

There is no question that this is an election of the classic underdog Weavers against the incumbent Leu. When the former made his intentions known of running against the incumbent, the landscape changed and the election took on a whole new meaning. Until then, it was going to be an easy ride for Leu and her closest allies.

Instead, Weavers exposed numerous areas that needed work and improvement. He promoted an open door policy – “we must listen to anyone and everyone” – and underlined the importance of innovation. And at every opportunity he reminded shire residents that 80% of council’s total revenue is reliant on rates – well in excess of other areas.

In effect, Weavers turned this election campaign onto its head. He became Leu’s worst nightmare.

And in this context, voters must again consider the following thoughts and questions which have played out over the past few weeks:

• Will Leu’s inability to confirm to the reality of our financial position hurt her; while Weavers’ proposed rate relief through his innovative approach to finding other revenue streams work in his favour?
• Will Leu’s small target media approach backfire and Weavers’ “It’s Time for a Fresh Approach” cut through?
• In continuing to team only with Councillor David Carey, compared to Weavers’ independence and ability to work with any candidate, prove to be a negative for Leu?
• Will Weavers’ open door policy and eagerness to listen to anyone and everyone be a trump card compared to Leu’s inaccessibility?

As we alluded to earlier, if the electorate is looking for change, and Weavers defies the odds by beating a strong incumbent, it will add a whole new dimension to the way the shire is managed. Weavers may have been calling for a “Fresh Approach”, but a new team in Mossman will be a breath of fresh air.

If there’s to be change at the mayoral level, one suspects the same will apply to the councillors. The ‘unhealthy’ 3 versus 2 which has dominated Council for the past two years created an anaemic culture which has been a feature of the election campaign. Residents have quite rightly been calling for a council that works as a team whose major concern is the community it represents.

Regrettably, the majority of the councillor candidates have lacked conviction and an inability to present meaningful plans. It’s therefore impossible to gauge which direction the voters will go.

There was one positive. In the dying hours of the campaign, Terry Melchert challenged the status quo, openly came out in favour of Weavers and called for a cultural change in Council Chambers. It’s unfortunate he did not adopt this from the outset as his platform. Instead, he chose the final forum.

It was a bold move which enhanced his credibility over his rivals and it could carry him over the line. The question now is, should Melchert be returned, who will join him. What we don’t need is another fractured Council … for four long years.
In the final analysis, you the voter, have an important decision to make and whatever it is, it must be the right one for the shire. If you get it wrong, you know how long it will take to fix it.

When will election results be available?

Results will be published on a rolling basis when they become available on the Electoral Commission Queensland (ECQ) website on Saturday March 19.

The ECQ will not publish the result of any seat while there is still a mathematical chance that more than one candidate could be victorious.

Results will also be updated daily as postal votes are received until March 29, with daily final votes available on the website from 4.30pm.

• It is compulsory for all Australian citizens over 18 years of age, living in Queensland, to be enrolled and vote in the election. Failure to do so may result in a fine.