Electing a Group of Councillors Who Can Repair the Damage

With 70 candidates in the upcoming September 14th election, making the right choice is crucial. After eight years on the Council (2008-2016), I’ve learned what it takes to be an effective councillor. While voting is a personal decision, I’m sharing my recommendations to help guide you through this crowded field.

Below are my top picks for a council that will focus on repairing the damage: restoring financial stability, reducing rates and charges, and refocusing on core services like roads, water, sewerage, and efficient Development Application processing. These candidates have the skills, experience, and commitment to represent our diverse community while ensuring council services meet the real needs of residents.

I believe this assembly can work together to eliminate wasteful spending and vanity projects, instead focusing on delivering real value to ratepayers. They represent a broad balance of perspectives, including political, ecological and developmental views, with a firm commitment to fiscal responsibility.

Voting Below-the-Line

Voting “below-the-line”, gives you the maximum control of your voting power by allowing you to select in sequence, whom you would prefer to be your representative.

Voting below-the-line requires that you number at least 6 candidates.  You can optionally number up to 11 if you wish to maximise the distribution of your preferences.

Clearly number the ballot box next to the name of the candidate in the recommended order, or in another order that you prefer.  Also read the instructions on the left side of the ballot paper, below the orange line.  

You can see what the QPRC ballot will look like after following these preferences scroll down.

My Recommendations

1. Richard Graham (Far Righthand Column) – My name appears on the far right of the ballot, listed as GRAHAM Richard.
2. Mareeta Grundy (Group  I – Independent) – I recommend Clr Mareeta Grundy for your 2nd below-the-line vote due to her proven record of being onside with residents, her depth of preparation on issues, and insisting on full economic disclosures.  She prosecutes cases for the community with integrity, intellect and insight. She voted against both the 64% rate rise and increasing councillor pay.
3. Trevor Hicks (Group  E – Independent) – I recommend former councillor Trevor Hicks for your 3rd below-the-line vote.  He’s a community person that exemplifies the embodiment of good deeds with common-sense governance. As a business owner, he knows the responsibility of meeting a payroll.  Trev is a man of the people. He sees a councillor’s duty is to all residents and not just where they reside.
4. Rachael Macdonald (Group  F – Independent) – Number 4 is Wiradjuri woman Rachael Macdonald, who has both extensive public service and private enterprise experience, including business ownership. She recognises the root causes of Council’s financial burden on ratepayers must be fixed, not papered over. She’s committed that Council doesn’t return to administration.
5. Shane Ivimey (Group  I – Independent) – Number 5 on the card is former Air Force officer, Shane Ivimey, a young, action oriented Googong resident, who believes in our shire’s potential, while recognising that council is in an existential crisis. He will sharply focus on issues then lead the way to improvements that save money and improve outcomes for residents.
6. Walter Raynolds (Group  F – Independent) – My 6th recommendation is Walter Raynolds a no non-sense farmer and 19-year councillor from Braidwood.  His clarity and depth in LGA governance was instrumental saving the State’s merger of Tallaganda and Yarrowlumla shires from going bankrupt and guiding it to the self-sufficiency that became the hallmark of Palerang Council.

These individuals will form a strong, resident-focused council that will prioritise fiscal responsibility and efficient service delivery.  I believe these six will best repair and restore our council.

If you would like to vote for 11 candidates, these five would be my next recommendations for 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11.

7.   Ross Macdonald From Group C – Liberal

8.   Mark Schweikert From Group C – Liberal

9.   Natasha Abbott From Group E – Independent

10. Esma Livermore From Group D – Labor

11.  John Preston From Group D – Labor