DR PETER HOUSTON Feb 2008
Long term Redcliffe Councillor, Dr. Peter Houston has entered the Mayoral Race for the new Regional Council of Moreton Bay.
Cr. Houston, with a total of 17 years on Redcliffe Council, feels that the initiative he had shown on Redcliffe City Council in beautifying and promoting the area has brought Redcliffe forward considerably over the last 16 years and the same initiative is needed to set up the new Council to be a constructive and productive unit, with good outcomes for all existing staff.
“New Council, New Leadership” Cr. Houston said.
“Redcliffe is recognised in all surrounding areas as having really progressed over that time, more so in many respects than the surrounding regions. I’m proud as Deputy Mayor of the 1991-1994 Council as having initiated that direction, working at the time with four other Councillors of a similar inclination. I call them, including myself, as the “Fabulous Five” In that three years we established the foreshore bikeways, placed three palm trees and landscaped all large roundabouts; constructed the current illuminated “Welcome to Redcliffe” signs; constructed the foreshore parks of Scarborough Beach Park and Pelican Park at Clontarf with shelters and playground; and finally built the Settlement Cove Swimming lagoon and suburban signs.” Cr. Houston said.
“The subsequent Council failed to capitalise on these improvements when re-elected in 1997 , working again with a group of like minded Councillors as Chairman of Works I again set in train building a new Jetty, refurbishing Suttons beach and Margate Beach (with 1993 plan); building a new Library and Art Gallery as well as a $5 Million refurbishment of the Council building. These are the changes people can see and this same initiative is needed to give the best results for the Moreton Bay Region. I have this experience and in doing so have managed change to turn the Redcliffe City Council away from being just a maintenance Council to having a significant impact on improving residents and visitors lifestyle. This is where Local Government has to go. It has to create benefits for those it represents.” Cr. Houston said.
“The task ahead is significant. Firstly to work with the interim administration to establish the first Budget and in doing so take a big step towards setting up the new area. Secondly, overseeing the appointment of the new senior staff; thirdly developing the first corporate and strategic Plan for the Council; and fourthly feeding the outcomes of those plans into the following Budget; all the time ensuring maintenance of all three areas is maintained or improved and services to all ratepayers does not decline in any way.” Cr Houston said.
“To my mind the only way to achieve these outcomes is to leave operations and works depots where they are within the three existing areas during the functioning of the first budget.” Cr. Houston said.
“The role of the Mayor is to create unity within his elected Council and to ensure that the Senior staff selected are productive especially in the completion of the Capital Works in the Budget. I have the experience and know how to achieve this outcome. I look forward to the challenge and see my successful business experience as an asset”.
