Dick Newman

Community Comes First

Current Councillor Dick Newman delivered a strong and clear message to Blackall Range residents at the Meet the Candidates evening in Montville on 25 February. He said that Montville residents in particular wanted a clear direction from him on town planning issues and provided three statements in this regard:

1. Every development application inconsistent with the town plan for Division 1 (Maleny, Witta, Conondale) was refused during his term.
2. No increase to the existing population limit has been approved for Division 1 during his term and the population cap has been extended to 2045
3. The community have been immediately informed when any major applications have been received.

Dick said that a Montville links style application would have simply been refused in his area and that Maroochy had gone too far in applying the principals of Performance Based approvals. Performance Based approvals should only be used to provide the best outcome for land parcels within the planning scheme and not to approve major developments that have substantial impact on a town.

He also said that extending the Division 1 population cap to 2045 sent a clear message to developers that they are only welcome to do business within the provisions of the planning scheme.

Dick said that the new Council would review town plans in 2009 and that an extremely large portion of the Blackall Range was right for our community. He wants to amend the Maleny Township DCP and then unite the Blackall Range into one planning area so that all towns would have a strong and united planning scheme to provide certainty to all residents.

Dick spoke on further issues that had been raised by local residents such as level of service, delivery of Master Plans, availability of information and said that these concerns would be easily remedied. He said that Maleny residents were already provided with all Councils budget information on a quarterly basis and most documentation could be provided on request. Service levels in Maroochy Shire have dropped in recent years to allow for debt reduction and these need immediate review. He pointed to the Mary Cairncross Master Plan which was adopted in 2004 and will be fully delivered in 2009 as an example of delivery of Master Plans.

Division 5 Candidate Dick Newman is no stranger to climate change policies in Council. Dick recently accepted an award from the International Council of Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) on behalf of Council. "That award basically says the Council have done the hard yards getting their Climate Change strategy in place so that we can play our part in tackling this global problem". Dick also launched Council's Biodiversity Strategy in Maleny recently. "It's great that we've done all the thinking and planning, but now we have to deliver and that's what I'm going to do."

Dick has ensured that each of the environmental documents includes an action plan and budget. "The action plans are in place and will carry through to the new Council. I've got the budget bids in, but now need to make sure they get funded." Council's action plans are not restricted to Council alone. They look to include the broader community. "I'm certainly looking for Council to reduce it's carbon footprint - we are already making changes. As for the wider community, we have a whole raft of tools from regulatory mechanisms to communication strategies to providing expertise to develop local markets and so on. "

Dick is excited about the opportunities the new Council will bring. "I'm still a fan of smaller rather than bigger Councils, but it's fair to say that there are benefits that a big Council can bring. I'm ready to get stuck into it."

Q: Please provide examples of your work as a Councillor, or in another role, which has tangibly benefitted our environment.

A: Through Council, I have championed and supported the adoption of a Biodiversity Strategy, Climate Change Policy and very strong environmental protection throught the LGMS. On a more practical sense, I have provided additional budget for local environmental projects over and above those provided in the environment levy. I have been a strong supporter of the Regulatory Pest Management service and On Site Treatment programmes which have both gained high community acceptance. My Management Committee at Mary Cairncross has partnered with Council to provide an environmental education officer to work with the community and school children. For the community, I have provided nearly $200,000 to Barung Landcare and recently revived the 'Wood Expo' by gaining Council support. I have arranged a 10 year lease arrangement for the Lake Baroon Catchment Care Group and a commitment for $1.8m of funding over the next 10 years. This is a brief synopsis.

Q: Are you currently, or have you been a member of any community groups? If so, please provide details of your involvement.

A: In the past, Barung Landcare, Maleny and District Green Hills, Maleny High School P&C, Maleny Swimming Club, Maleny Soccer Club, Maleny Scouts, Maleny Neighbourhood Centre, Maleny Community Centre. In my role as Councillor, I have resigned all positions to focus on supporting the broad community.

Q: Briefly, what is your vision for the environment of the Sunshine Coast?

A. Protection, Protection, Protection. Having settled that, a regional approach to environmental problems such as weed removal and regeneration of local species (flora and fauna). Aside from those basic functions, Council needs to expedite its Climate Change functions in both policy and on ground delivery.

Q: In a paragraph, please define your understanding of the term sustainable development.

A: A big start would be appropriate design to take advantage of the natural climate and micro climate. Following that, self sufficiency of water services, both supply and treatment. Advances are being made in renewable energy and it is not difficult to see that new residences will soon have the ability to be energy neutral. Transportation is also key and appropriate low energy transport systems should be included in the overall design. Density needs to be appropriate to transport and services.

Q: Please outline one local environmental issue under Council's jurisdiction and describe what measures need to be taken to achieve sustainable environmental outcomes in this case.

A: So many to choose from. I guess the biggest impact a Council may have on the environment does come from the Policy unit. This is because policy affects Council directly as well as the broader community through development practices and regulation. Council's policies and strategies need to be amalgamated quickly to ensure implementation is not held up. This needs to be highlighted and funded in our first budget. I have our current policy unit investigating the Biosphere concept that Noosa has implemented as well as methodology for bringing together our many environmental groups to determine how Council may support them. The unit is also extremely helpful in supporting community by responding to issues such as the Mooloolah water dosing plant - issues like this arise quite quickly and require a fully funded policy unit to respond.