Action man Kerr won’t go unnoticed in new council
Action man Kerr won’t go unnoticed in new council
Published Monday 4 April 2016
Michael Kerr says he has not yet reached cloud nine. It’s easy to understand. The newly-elected councillor for the Douglas Shire has had to endure more anxious days than he cares to remember as the final count came in. He was then faced with a re-count (which was over-ruled by the electoral commission); and to crown it all, the production and launch of Grease the Musical at the Clink Theatre only added to his sleepless nights.
In every respect, though, it’s been an incredibly favourable period for Kerr, who will represent Port Douglas as one of the four councillors. He joins fellow ‘newie’ Roy Zammataro along with the re-elected Abigail Noli, David Carey and Mayor Julia Leu.
Besides the election success – he fought and was unsuccessful in 2013 – the stage production at the Clink Theatre has been playing to packed houses and hailed as one of the triumphs in recent times. It’s therefore not hard to appreciate the huge grin Kerr is sharing with anyone and everyone right now.
“Although winning a seat on council has not yet sunk in, I do concede my life has changed. A few days ago I received a letter from the Douglas Shire Council addressed to Councillor Michael Kerr. This blew me away. Yes, I am a councillor,” said a beaming Kerr who views this as a defining moment in his career.
His appointment along with his fellow councillors will be officially formalised within a few days. Their induction is on April 5, and a week later, they will be sworn in.
But the show must go on, and as hard as Kerr tried in this Newsport interview to discuss and articulate how he viewed his councillor duties, his mobile phone was a continual but welcome distraction. Callers wanted to know if tickets were still available, how many more nights it was running and other information about the production.
“If people do not book online, I’m it. There is no external outlet and although we have tried to make it work in the past, it failed. If the phone wasn’t ringing I’d be concerned. But Grease has been a colossal success and I’ve enjoyed every second of the time I’ve committed,” said Kerr.
Just as in the theatre and in his community work where communication is tantamount, it is Kerr’s intention to use this approach as a councillor.
“It’s important to know what people are thinking and I’ll be making it my business to start to think like the people. My work at Paws and Claws, the Clink Theatre and the Low Isles Preservation Society has exposed me to a broad section of the community and this will be an advantage representing Port Douglas on council,” he said.
Although there are many issues on Kerr’s wish list which he’ll be taking to council for debate, he is confident a fresh and innovative philosophy will be prevalent in Council Chambers.
“As new councillors, Roy (Zammataro) and I will bring a fresh perspective. I intend to be ‘my own man’ and stand up for what I believe in and I can see a lot happening over the next four years.
“We need to do things that can be done and do not involve high costs. We must be smart and strategic and not waste money,” said Kerr.
Like any new kid on the block, Kerr does have a number of projects he’d like to see unveiled. He likes the idea of a train linking Port Douglas and Mossman; solar-powered buses with reduced fares connecting Mossman, Cooya Beach and Port Douglas; beach access for wheelchair-bound individuals; the re-zoning of the land to pave the way for the retirement village on Ferrero Road; and a plan that addresses one-visit tourists who are encouraged to return on a regular basis.
Kerr is an action man. After all, he did rescue the Clink Theatre and Paws Claws and has rightfully earned respect for his actions. You suspect it won’t take long for this to be heralded in the new-look council.